7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” (Gen. 22:7-8 ESV)
Abraham finds himself in a hopeless and inexplicable situation–having been asked to sacrifice his only son. The loss of his son will not only mean unspeakable pain to Abraham and Sarah. It will mean an end to the promise of the great nation that is to be born through them.
Still, Abraham believes that somehow God will provide exactly what is needed in this dire situation. God will provide in a way that will secure both this family and this promise.
In the end, Abraham’s faith is proven. God sends a ram to take the place of the son. In response, Abraham calls God with a new name: Jehovah Jireh. It means “The Lord who will provide” or “The Lord who will see to it” (22:14). This is a God who sees what we need and who will provide what is needed.
When we face times so dark we cannot see how in the world we’ll ever make it, Abraham has a name for us to remember: Jehovah Jireh. God will provide. God will see to it.
When waters rise, Jehovah Jireh.
What hatred marches, Jehovah Jireh.
When darkness falls, Jehovah Jireh.
Prayer: “Thank you Lord, for being one whom I can trust in the hardest and most hopeless situation. Thank you for seeing what I need and promising to provide what I need.”
Action Step: Lift up in prayer today all your worries, all your anxieties, all your needs. Entrust them into the the hands of Jehovah Jireh.
