Jehovah Jireh

Genesis 22:14: "And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, 'In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided"

The twenty-second chapter of the book of Genesis gives the account of Abraham offering up his son Isaac. When God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, he then saw a ram caught in some brush. So he went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt sacrifice in place of his son Isaac. It was then that Abraham named that special place- The-Lord-Will-Provide or  in the Hebrew it is rendered YHWH Yireh, where we get the name Jehovah Jireh.This is a beautiful picture of what God did for us. He offered up His son Jesus Christ in our place. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He provided the perfect sacrifice for mankind.

God has always been the provider for His people. He provided food and water for Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-6).  God provided food for Elijah and a widow woman and her family. (1 Kings 17:8-16). God provided shade for the prophet Jonah.(Jonah 4:5-6). The list goes on throughout the entire Bible.

I remember several years ago in prayer, I saw a winding and twisting road. Every so often along the road there was a sack. The Lord spoke to my heart that He already has our provisions ready and waiting at just the right time. We don't have to worry or fear. When we need something, God has already provided for that particular need. Matthew 6:25-34 tells us we are not to be concerned with what we eat, drink or wear. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" We need to overcome worry and concern in our lives and have faith that God knows just what we need, when we need it, and He is certain to provide it for us.

The picture at the top of the page was taken a few years ago on the Straits of Mackinaw in Michigan. My husband and I had the opportunity and the privilege to take a sunset cruise. It was a Vesper Cruise where the Word was preached and we sang songs while we were enjoying the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron passing many times under the beautiful and massive "Big Mac" suspension bridge that connects the mainland with the Upper Peninsula. It was just awesome standing there on the upper deck of that boat, looking out into the water while the sun was setting, singing and worshipping the Lord. One of the songs we sang was "Jehovah Jireh- My Provider". He is our Healer, our Provider, our Righteousness. He has our need supplied even BEFORE we know we have a need.

The birds of the air don't worry nor do the flowers of the field. His children are much more precious to Him and He will take care of us in the days to come. I firmly believe that as things get worse, He will miraculously provide for His own in the end times. The Israelites had light in the land of Goshen when all the rest of Egypt was in darkness. He provided for His people then and He will provide for His people now and in the future. Worry only brings with it a lot of stress and physical ailments. And it is also sin- for the Bible said that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin"- Romans 14:23. We need to get into the practice of trusting the Lord with all our needs. He is a Provider  and will take care of us no matter what we face.

Jehovah Jireh- The Lord Will Provide!