Understanding the meaning of Jehovah-jireh opens the spiritual heart to the significance of God being your provider. Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Our key text today says, “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)
When Abraham gave this place a new name, he showed that he realized that this test was more significant than just the testing of His own faith. He had seen the Lord’s provision through his whole life, and now he had witnessed God provide in the most challenging test he had ever gone through. There is a powerful truth so easily missed in Genesis, “…And to this day it is said.”
The incident of Genesis 22 is a prototype of the promise of Jesus Christ who was to come and be a replacement on the altar of sacrifice for the sins of the world. This Christ who came in fulfillment of God’s providence, for the redemption of sinful mankind, gives us this daily promise, “So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?’ or `What shall we drink?’ or `What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34)
Time after time the Lord has proven His faithfulness to me. The Holy Spirit brings to my mind the provision of the home we needed to take care of my wife Bonnie, who suffered the effects of brain cancer. Long before Bonnie was diagnosed with brain cancer, our family went through a time of testing when I was laid off from work. I often sought the Lord, knowing only He could provide for us. During this time, I would help my oldest son Derek deliver the Norton Daily Telegram. We delivered papers to a certain area in Norton, Kansas that had really nice homes. I would walk through this nice part of town with Derek, praying in my heart that the Lord would provide a nice home for Bonnie in this area. As I would pray, I would tell the Lord, “If you choose not to answer yes to this prayer, then I am blessed to know that she has a special place being prepared for her in heaven.” (John 14:1-3)
I prayed this on several occasions with complete peace and contentment in how the Lord had already provided for us. After eight years of battling brain cancer, Bonnie’s health had failed to the point where our old home was no longer safe for her. The Lord provided us with a beautiful home in that nice area of town where I had walked and prayed. This home has handicap access that met Bonnie’s specific needs. We have enjoyed the Lord’s provision throughout the past 24+ years, we have seen the Lord provide cars, computers, literally everything we need for meeting our needs.
Do you live in the significance of the promises of God and Christ? If so, you live in the powerful truth, “The Lord will see, He will look upon thy need; and will hear thy prayer and provide that need.” (The Pulpit Commentary)
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