God Is Our Provider

, aThis encouraging article explores one of the most powerful names of God—Jehovah Jireh—through Abraham’s faith-filled journey in Genesis 22. Even when life feels overwhelming, we can trust that God is our provider, meeting our needs in ways we never expected.

Does God really care about the daily details of our lives?

Is He going to step in and help you when motherhood is exhausting and you feel chronically tired?

Will He help you when you feel unsure if your marriage can survive the current hardships you face?

Does God care that you feel an urging to pursue big dreams but simultaneously feel unsure what to do next?

Or, when you receive the medical results you were praying against, are in a season of grief, or the grips of infertility, will He make a way?

Can we really believe God will attend to our needs in this big swirling universe.

Wow, these are big and heavy questions to be asking. At the core of these questions is the common theme of wondering if God will indeed provide for all of our needs. Like all important questions, we can turn to the Bible for answers and for truth. With that in mind, let’s learn about when God first reveals himself as Jehovah Jireh—The God Who Provides.

God Is Our Provider

We first discover this beautiful quality of the Lord in Genesis 22:1-18. In this account, we are invited into a journey between Abraham, his son Isaac, and God.

As the situation begins, we hear the Lord provide a very clear and heartbreaking command to Abraham. In Genesis 22:2, God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” God literally asked Abraham to kill his son as an offering.

Abraham obeyed with a faith that was greater than his fear and grief. For more than three days Abraham journeyed with his son to the place the Lord commanded. Along the way, in verse 8, Isaac asks where the sacrifice is and Abraham simply answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” What amazing confidence to display in the face of a looming tragedy! Abraham was certain that God would make a way.

With his own two hands, Abraham built the altar that he was told to sacrifice his son upon. Abraham was so confident in God’s goodness, sovereignty, and provision that He was willing to act in faith, even in those unthinkable circumstances.

As Abraham readied the knife—moments before he would follow through with God’s direction—Jehovah Jireh (“God will Provide”) revealed Himself.

This powerful moment is found in Genesis 22;13, “Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord Will Provide.’ And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’”

God delivered when all seemed impossible and lost. God provided a ram.

Are You Praying for a Ram Right Now?

Do you need healing, hope, freedom, or restoration? Is it rest, emotional wellness, or joy that your soul craves? What is the ram you desperately need to appear in the thicket?

You know the challenges and opportunities you are walking through, and the areas you feel anguish and grief. You also need to know that our God listens and is near; God is our provider.

In scripture, Abraham looked up to see the ram—will you also look up to seek your ram? Don’t let the sun go down without calling out to Jehovah Jireh by name. There is power in addressing Him as the God Who Will Provide, it claims His power and praises His character.

I hope that you will take faithful footsteps, even if your journey is marked by pain and confusion. Abraham modeled this for us and God blessed Him for it. You serve a God who gives you the opportunity to get your hopes up because He is Jehovah Jireh and He will provide.

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