Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh (which means ‘the LORD will provide’).”
Genesis 22:14
Sometimes we call upon the Lord by using His name “Jehovah Jireh,” which addresses God as our Provider. The first time God is called by this name is in Genesis 22:14 when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Abraham’s son, Isaac. The root word for “Jireh” in Hebrew is “raah” and it literally means “to see.”
A daily truth in the life of every one of us is that God specifically sees us and provides for us. This is such a comforting thought. God is so personal that He sees YOU, and based on what YOU need, He provides for YOU.
We read in our gospels about how Jesus “saw” people and their needs, and how He acted and moved on their behalf to provide what they needed. He saw the woman with the spirit of infirmity, He saw the crippled man who laid by the pool of Bethesda, He saw Mary and Martha as they wept over Lazarus’ death, He saw His mother as He hung from the cross. In each circumstance, Jesus saw their needs and then provided for them accordingly.
Christ did it then, and He does it now.
“Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So, he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh (which means ‘the LORD will provide’).”
Genesis 22:13-14
“When Jesus saw him lying there…He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up…’ Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.”
John 5:6-8
“And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.’”
Luke 13:11-12
“[Jesus’] divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…”
2 Peter 1:3
Think back to a time when you truly needed something and how God stepped in. Remember the moment when you were aware of your need for a Savior, and how Jesus stepped in and provided Himself. Like the ram in the place of Isaac, Jesus laid His own life down for YOU. Let’s take a moment to pray this prayer of thanksgiving:
“God, thank you that you see me, and that You provide for me. Your word says that you have given me everything I need for life and for Godliness. I receive this truth today. Help me to see the needs of others and to lead them to You as their Provider as well. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.”
