Word For Your Weekend: Jehovah Jireh [Names of God - Part 4]
Genesis 22 has to be one of the most suspenseful stories in the Old Testament. Abraham is tested by God and asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on a mountain in Moriah. I cannot imagine what must have been going through Abraham’s mind as he woke up early, cut wood for the offering, traveled for three days, and then saw the mountain in the distance.
Long story short, God provided a ram in the thicket and told Abraham not to harm Isaac. Abraham then named the place Jehovah Jireh - the Lord who provides.
But let’s rewind… I think it’s so interesting how Abraham answered Isaac’s question in verses 7 and 8.
Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
I wonder what Abraham didn’t say but might have been thinking as he answered his son’s questions. He obviously already believed that God would provide...but sometimes I wonder if in his heart he was meditating on the times that God had provided...maybe even all the ways He was currently providing. I often wonder if Abraham was believing that, even if God didn’t give him the answer he wanted, that He would still be a trusted provider?
I won’t deny that sometimes it’s hard for me to reconcile God being Jehovah Jireh and yet family members are not provided with recovery from cancer. How is He Jehovah Jireh when your child’s new diagnosis is revealed? Or when there is no peace in your marriage?
Today, I encourage you to look at some ways that our God has provided and will never stop providing for you.
God has provided every spiritual blessing for us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:3-19 tells us that we were chosen before the creation of the world, predestined for adoption, that we have redemption through His blood and forgiveness from sins. Not only that, but His grace is lavished on us and His incomparably great power is for all to believe. That’s not insignificant provision. If grace and forgiveness were a bank account, most days I feel like I would use up every penny. But because of Jesus, the supply is endless and I am so very thankful.
God has provided us with family when He adopted us as Father. Through Jesus we have received adoption into the very family of God, and we can call Him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). And not only are we adopted as children, but we are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This family-through-Christ is a big one and is, for me personally, one of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever received. If you are not part of a local community of believers, may I encourage you to become a part of one? The local church is, by far, one of the most precious provisions of our God to His children.
God has provided us with comfort and guidance through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised this provision while He was still on earth (John 14:25&26) and we see that the Holy Spirit came in Acts 2. He is the “downpayment of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14) and He helps us in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26). What a gift to know that we are not “left alone as orphans” (John 14:18).
I don’t know what Abraham was thinking as he answered Isaac that day, but sometimes when I am hoping for God’s provision, I have to remember His provision. I have to remind myself of Who He is, and all the many ways He is faithful on a daily basis, even if my circumstances in this world do not look like I want them to look.
Because of Who He is simply by being the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit - He is enough. He is Jehovah Jireh because He always provides Himself.
Think about…
Is there something you are currently asking God to provide for?
Can you recount times in the past that God has provided faithfully?
How does remembering God’s past faithfulness and everything He has provided in Himself change your perspective on your current concern?
Prayer…
Lord, thank You for being enough. Thank You for all the ways that You provide for us both in Who You are, and in working circumstances together for our good and Your glory. You have provided so many times before and we are so thankful for Your faithfulness. Amen.
(c) 2018 by Hannah Kistler