Eight years ago, my (then) pastor shared with us how Abraham first experienced Jehovah as Jireh. What was most interesting about that sermon was learning that the word Abraham used in Genesis 22:8 when he said to Isaac, “Jehovah will provide”, is the same word David used in Psalm 23:1 when he said, “Jehovah is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.” And since it is the same word, we can arguably say, “Jehovah is my Provide.” It may not conform to the rules of English, but it obviously made perfect sense in the original Hebrew.
The lesson was that God does not just give things; He Himself is our Gift, and He delights to fill us with Himself. He said to Abraham, “I am your exceeding great reward.” Not this and this and hundreds of that; Me, Myself!
It was a huge change in perspective for me; to this day I don’t say “Jehovah is my Provider”. I say Jehovah is my Provide. I’m just so used to it now. Jehovah IS my Provide, an unending source, not one to run to in time of need, but one who is THERE even before a need arises, and after.
When you begin to ponder on the God-sized dream planted in your heart, do not be afraid. When you walk in an intimate relationship with God as our faith father Abraham did, you’ll realise that He’s able to give you the ability and capability to be all that you were created to be. Have you ever noticed how easily Abraham let his nephew, Lot, choose the best part of the land, while he went the other way? This was a man who understood deeply that it’s not about where you go; it’s about Who goes with you.
This provision God embodies is not about mere material things. God as our Provide means God is our builder, the one who erects the edifice of His children’s lives, making us to stand upright vertically, perpendicularly from the ground. In Him, we are not fainting with hunger, weak, staggering, tottering or falling. He makes us to stand, assured and confirmed. Genesis 22:14 tells us that in the mount of Jehovah it shall be seen and provided. Everything that concerns us will be seen to, even as God has already seen to our eternal salvation by providing JESUS: the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
Jehovah is my Provide: it is He who builds me and sets me up for success. As long as I am in His sight, I am taken care of. And so, dear faith-sibling, are you!