Jehovah Jireh, God will provide. Within scripture this word description of God first occurs in Genesis 22:14. “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh. Remember that God’s Holy Scripture is His revealing of Himself to us through His word. As Abraham climbed that mountain to sacrifice to God his son upon God’s command by faith, he believed with all his heart, mind, and soul that God had a plan. He knew that God was his provider. After all, God miraculously had given him Isaac as He had promised so many years before. All the years of waiting upon God to fulfill that promise had grown Abraham’s faith, so that now he trusted that God would provide a miracle once more. Perhaps God would raise Isaac from the dead once the sacrifice was done.
At any rate, Abraham believed they would both descend from that hill. He said so in Genesis 22:5 as he left the servants behind. He and Isaac went on alone to the top of the hill. Only they would be present to watch God show Himself as their provider. Isaac too must have believed God would provide, as he willingly allowed his father to tie him to the altar, for he was a young man at least 15 years of age. We know the story, God provided a ram to be the substitute. A portrait of God’s greatest act as our provider! Jesus Christ would be the sacrificial lamb that paid our sin debt. No longer would we be slaves to our sin nature; because, He bore upon Himself our penalty.
Since God is our Provider of life, eternal life to all who believe in Jesus Christ; why would we not trust Him as our Provider in lesser things?
A Widow, Some Oil, and God as Provider
Everything looked bleak. Her husband had died. There were creditors that came to collect a debt owed them. As was custom in that day, the widow’s sons would be taken into service as slaves because there was no money to repay the debt. We do not know from whence the debt had arose. Perhaps it was from his burial. Or maybe, a debt incurred of necessity to provide during hard times. After all, it was bleak times in Israel for true prophets due to the people idolatrous lifestyles. We do know that it wasn’t due to frivolous squandering of the money; because we are told that he did as a servant of faith, fear the Lord. (2 Kings 4:1). Even the most faithful servants of God may find themselves in financial distress at times, as God stretches their faith.
In this moment of dire distress, the widow went to seek a word from God. Therefore, she sought out Elisha, God’s prophet. Elisha told her to go home, borrow as many empty vessels as she could from her neighbors and then to behind closed doors fill them each using the little bit of oil she had in her cupboard. She did exactly that. The oil did not run out. Every vessel was filled because God was her provider. From the abundance of oil, she was able to pay her debt and to provide sustenance for her sons. Therefore, God as our Provider gives us life, liberty from the enslavement of sin, and provides for our every need if only we by faith accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
What About our Finances?
Even there, God is our Provider. He has carried me through many a financial crisis in my lifetime. Sometimes, I must say they were of my own making; because, I didn’t worry too much about money. Most of the time, it was life’s circumstances as I battled widowhood, cancer, ulcerative colitis, surgeries, and various setbacks. Through it all, I learned one principal. If God remained first in my finances, the rest fell into place somehow. Sometimes it was through a miracle I survived; but I have never been left destitute. There were times when I didn’t know how I would survive; but God was my Provider. One of the bleakest moments, mom asked me; “What if we are left homeless?” My response was: “If God chooses, I be homeless, I guess He needs me there on the street to witness for Him.”
I have learned that I don’t need all this “stuff” I have obtained over a lifetime. If I could go back there would be many “things” I would not buy. God could have accomplished more for His Kingdom had I given it to Him. I realized all this even more as I found myself giving away so many things to reduce all my belongings to what would fit in one room. What was most precious to me? My books, worship CDs, and Bible tapes. My computer so I can continue to write and tell others of Jesus Christ, my provider of joy, hope, and love.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
So, there may be moments that I look at my finances and wonder how little I have there. Yet, I know how richly blessed I am. While others may be looking at retiring, God has blessed me with the ability to press on working. He has provided me with a new job, here just when I needed it. Not just for me; but to also help my son and his family. God is our Provider. Do you trust Him?
Yes, I do believe in giving Him the first fruits of my labor. This goes beyond tithing to the church, which I do. But it also includes giving of your time to Him and to His work. Furthermore, it is a generous spirit to help others in need whether they be of your own family or strangers; we are called to help the widow, the fatherless, and the needy as outlined in Deuteronomy 26:12-16.
May God bless you today with the faith you need to see Him as Your Provider.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Post in This Series:
What Can One God Fearing Man Do?
What Happens When We Fail to Teach Our Children?
How to Revive Barren Lands with Living Waters
Who will Carry the Torch for God Against Evil?
What if God’s Work Leaves You Alone and Depressed?
Can You See The Army of God Surrounding You?
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnote and Credits
Photo by Roberta Sorge on Unsplash