Singaporeans, it would seem, did pretty well this time round. While the news of Malaysia’s border closures prompted some stockpiling of groceries at some stores, the overall response was generally calm—compared to the headline-grabbing mad rush that we saw earlier.
I can’t help but wonder, however: What’s really wrong with stockpiling?
If you think about it, hoarding essential goods makes sense if you honestly believe that a time may come when you’re unable to get your hands on more supplies. Of course, this is not to be done at the expense of others.
But storing up spares isn’t limited to just food and essential supplies. We can set aside intangible things too. For example, we can build up what counsellors call “emotional banks”—reserves of trust that make a relationship safe and secure. When this relationship is tested, we can “draw” on the reservoir of security, knowing that the relationship is strong enough to withstand trials.
So why not do a bit of spiritual stockpiling?
The reality is, there will be times in our lives when our faith will be tested. When crisis strikes, or when we go through a long, challenging time, we may start to wonder if God is still with us, if we can hold on to our faith, or if we can still trust in God.
In such times, it would be hard to just tell ourselves, “Just trust in God.” Or, “Just have faith.” Because we simply may not have faith. We may feel so overwhelmed by our situation that it becomes hard to hang on to the fact that God will help us and deliver us in His time.
It is in such times that we can draw on our spiritual stockpile. When we doubt God’s presence, we can depend on our reserve of faith and trust, remembering that He has faithfully seen us through in the past. When we are too worn down even to read the Bible—or possibly, even to pray—we can recall words of comfort and assurance from His Word that we have read, and which have soaked into our innermost being.
In Psalm 77, as Asaph calls out to God for help, he remembers what the Lord had done for him in the past:
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
In times of trials, King David also remembers how God has always delivered him:
It would seem that tough times are coming. But it’s not too late to start stockpiling. We can go to the Word of God and start building up our spiritual bank with an intimate knowledge of His Word, a trust in His supreme sovereignty, and a faith in His everlasting love.
Nothing delights God more than a heart that seeks to know Him better and depend on Him more. Start your spiritual stockpiling today!
Father, please help me build up
my knowledge, trust, and faith in You.
I know I can depend on You completely,
for You are my Rock and my Deliverer.
