SEARCHLIGHT
Are you certain that God will provide for all your needs?
SCRIPTURE
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:8 NIV
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.” Genesis 22:14 NIV.
SPOTLIGHT
Knowing someone’s name is so important. But knowing someone by name is even more important! Do you personally know any of the “Who’s Who of the World”? Maybe you know about some prominent people who have world influence but more than likely you don’t personally know them by name. Here’s the twist. You can personally know the “Who’s Who of the Universe”! God, the living Creator of all, wants you to personally know Him by name.
The “Who’s Who of the Universe” has chosen to reveal Himself by identifying His 9 compound names in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In order to personally know the Living God by name, ask yourself the following question.
Are you enjoying the promise of God’s willingness and ability to meet all your needs?
Hudson Taylor was a great missionary to China for over 50 years. He was responsible for establishing orphanages, hospitals and schools along with the China Inland Mission. All of his ministry was faith-based. Taylor was a man of prayer who firmly believed everything the Bible said about God. Never did he doubt that God would provide all of the finances, food and people to run everything. When money ran out, it did not worry this missionary. One day the cook told him they only had one bag of rice that was left in the kitchen to feed everybody. Hudson Taylor replied, “Then the Lord’s time for helping us must be close at hand.” Before the rice bag was empty, Taylor received a check from a friend to buy food. This man went on to say that he had inherited a large fortune and wanted to share it with Taylor if he needed more. This great missionary took no credit and was overwhelmed with praise and thanksgiving to God.
Are you trusting God for success? Or is your confidence in God challenged? Do you find it difficult to “let go and let God have His way”? When you are passing through troubled waters, do you allow God to navigate your boat? Like Hudson Taylor, do you have a strong faith in God to believe that He will provide for all your needs even when life gets desperate?
Who’s Who when it comes to being the greatest provider? In today’s Scripture focus we MEET THE GREATEST PROVIDER. Abraham, Isaac and God are the main characters. The name Abraham uses for God is Jehovah Jireh. It is a compound name. Jehovah means “I am who I am.” This means God is eternal and self-existent. Jireh means “one who looks out for or provides for.” This means God always lives up to His name to meet your every need.
Abraham is known for his strong faith in God to provide for all his needs. Just read the Genesis 22 account. His faith in God was tested by God. That’s right. God tested Abraham’s faith and commitment to do something completely contrary to common sense. Abraham was directed by God to offer up his son as a sacrifice to God. He did not argue, resist, doubt or bargain with God. Instead, he trusted that God would always provide the best for him. His faith was lived out by his obedience. Abraham followed God’s direction and experienced Jehovah Jireh miraculously intervene.
Hard times hit us all. We wonder what is going on. When and how will it end? But the hardest times are when God tests us. When we pass God’s tests, they pave the way for God to do great things in our lives. We experience God’s provision in an unlimited way. We come to know that God is Jehovah Jireh who will provide. Just like Abraham did, Job did. So did Daniel. The 3 Hebrew boys did. Peter did. So did Paul the Apostle. See Philippians 4:11,13, and 19.
Abraham’s faith in Jehovah Jireh was expressed by obedience to God. Do you express your faith by obedience to following God’s direction? Hudson Taylor did. So can you! But you have to be open to leaving the issues with God and be willing to be tested.
You cannot separate your faith from your obedience. Someone who says he has faith in God but does not obey God really does not have faith. Faith in God is always evidenced by obedience to God. Read James 2:20-24 where the Bible commends Abraham for his faith which was proven by obedience, actions, and behavior. In that passage, God called Abraham His friend. Will you become God’s friend by having an unconditional faith in Jehovah Jireh?
God sees what you need, provides what you need and looks out for what you will need. Jehovah Jireh is a redemptive name of God. It tells you God sent His only Son to redeem you from your sin. Read Galatians 3:14,29. For life to go well, your greatest need is to be in right relationship with your Creator. Jehovah Jireh stands for God providing for your greatest need which is salvation. But you can trust Jehovah Jireh for all your needs. More than any other notable person or even money, God always provides far beyond your imagination. [Ephesians 3:20,21]
We live in a world where the term “provider” is well known. You have a healthcare provider (HMO). You have an insurance provider. You can have a dental care provider. When you think of the term provider, you think of care, excellence, dependability, and something that costs a lot of money. Jehovah Jireh provides for your care like no other provider. It is always excellent, dependable, incomparable, and accessible. And do not forget, it will cost you absolutely nothing except your faith and obedience. There is no better care at no cost to you.
Are you ready to MEET THE GREATEST PROVIDER you can ever know? His name is Jehovah Jireh. Here is the promise of God’s willingness and ability to meet every need of anyone who trusts Him. You can know Him by making Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord.
SOMETHING TO DO
What are the main provisions everyone needs? You need provisions to live, protection to live, and preservation beyond living. Jehovah is the greatest provider. He provides sacrifice for your sin [Romans 3:23, 6:23.] He provides salvation. [Romans 10:9.] God also provides satisfaction in living. Read Psalm 16:11 and John 10:10. And all of this ends with God giving you eternal life. Read John 11:25,26.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for being my Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. Today I choose to take the path of faith and obedience. I will trust You and follow Your ways. Thank you for meeting all my needs. And thank you for providing for my greatest need, the forgiveness of my sin through Your Son’s sacrifice at Calvary. AMEN, AMEN.