The Lord will Provide

“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.” – Genesis 22:14 (NKJV)

It is one of my very favorite names of God and one that through the years has meant the most to me. Jehovah-Jireh means “The Lord will provide“. God revealed Himself as the Lord who would provide way back in Genesis. Abraham was about ready to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar at the top of a desolate mountain in the land of Moriah.

When they were near the top, Isaac said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? And Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering my son.'” Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, the Lord stopped him and showed him a ram caught in a thicket and told him to use that instead. God had placed that ram nearby in advance, knowing He was going to need a substitute for Isaac.

Abraham named the place “The Lord Will Provide.” It means to see in advance or before the need is known. God is preparing an answer before we know that it is a need.

We live in a scary world. The economy is rocky, job security is uncertain and unexpected medical challenges happen out of the blue. About the only thing in this world that is certain is uncertainly.

One of the hardest things I have to do is to let go and let God. I want to run my world, my way and on my schedule. It’s like getting on an airplane. I relax and enjoy the flight knowing that I am in good hands and the pilot is in command. We need to do the same thing with our life.

As the pilot will navigate the plane around the storms in the sky, God will steer is through or around the storms of life. That’s easier said than done for people like me. There are difficulties along the way, but with God’s strength we can face them with confidence. We should thank God for each problem we encounter and watch Him transform our trials into blessings.

We are often taken by surprise by circumstances and events in our lives. God never is. He knows in advance all that is going to transpire. He cares. He has provision ready for us. God truly is Jehovah-Jireh. Relax and remember that God is in control.

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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