Genesis 22:13: “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket, by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide;” as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
Day Spring, a Christian woman’s cards, and gift site had a coffee mug with the Hebrew names for God on it, for sale during December. I bought two with the idea of using this particular mug when having a woman over for coffee or tea in my home when having fellowship together. This mug has had specific importance and meaning to me as I read each name for God, reflecting His nature, character, and power. The following names featured are:
- Jehovah Rophe – Healer
- Jehovah Rohe – Good Shepherd
- Jehovah Shalom – Giver of Peace
- Jehovah Shammah – Present One
- Jehovah Tsidekenu – Righteousness
- Jehovah Nissi – Battle Fighter
- Jehovah Jireh – Provider
The last two names for God have had particular importance and impact to me recently. I used to concentrate on using the name Jehovah Jireh, in primarily asking God to provide for individual financial needs. But recently I have seen this expanded to include providing and supplying needs in other areas besides just money such as:
- While out grocery shopping, unexpectedly running into a needed friend to pray with me for an immediate need. That is Jehovah Jireh at work.
- Receiving wise counsel.
- Provision of protection and rescue which leads to Jehovah Nissi – God being our battle fighter.
- Genesis 22:8: “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering my son.” God did! Jehovah Jireh is a symbolic name given to Mount Moriah by Abraham to memorialize the intercession of God in the sacrifice of Isaac by supplying a substitute, the ram, for the sacrifice of Isaac. God provided due to Abraham’s complete obedience and trust in the Lord. Jehovah is translated here as “to become known.” This denotes a God who reveals himself unceasingly. This account in Genesis for Jehovah Jireh, only occurs once but is powerfully significant.
The purpose of any testing is to strengthen our character, stretch our endurance, and deepen our commitment to God and His perfect timing. I am not saying it is always easy.
In reviewing these names for God, it helps us understand how He cares for us. Literally, the name Jehovah Jireh means The Lord Who Sees or The Lord Who Will See To It. God will see to it that my need is met in just the right time as He did for Abraham back in the Old Testament. He will supply.
Psalm 37:5 declares: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”
Psalm 37:25 further states: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” This tells me God does not abandon those who put their trust in Him and provides so why should I fret (?) – no “begging for bread.” He sustains and will provide the solution. He is in control of the outcome.
Questions:
Do you have a battle you need God to fight for you in right now? Write out your prayer to God plainly in requesting His justice and provision. Then ask God to impress you with His presence.
Do you have someone you need to forgive from the past?
Are you in control of the outcome – or is God in control when facing trials? We know the answer to that question, but to really live it and be free of the fretting part takes effort and resilience. It involves some grit.
When needing a buffer, a time to breathe in, exhale, and breathe out, reflect, and re-center your thoughts on the LORD, read a prayer from The Valley of Vision book on Puritan prayers. I like how this prayer is stated from this book: “I rejoice to think that all things are at thy disposal, and it delights me to leave them there.”
My prayer: “Jehovah Jireh, I commit and trust that Your righteousness will shine like the dawn. I wait patiently for You in trusting Your faithfulness to rescue, restore, and shepherd. I walk with You in humble trust. You are my stronghold and fortress as You have brought me safely through in past trials. The outcome is in Your almighty and powerful hands. Thank You for your righteousness and constant presence, and the expectation of Your fulfilling peace in the midst of any storm. I place my faith and trust that You will see to it as You are my stronghold. In Jesus Name Amen.”
Listen to Colton Dixon’s song on YouTube – “Through All Of It. (Audio)”