Week Eight - Jehova-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide
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Lord God, Thank you for this opportunity to share the ways you have provided in my life. Please provide the words to me now as you know I am much more comfortable with verbal communication than written. Speak to our hearts Lord and make Yourself known. Thank you for Your Ultimate provision, Jesus Christ. Your Son, who sacrificed Himself so that we may have life in Him. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
I have come to know God more as Jehova-Jireh these past few years more than any other name He carries. I trust God to provide my finances, to help me raise my children, to guide my marriage, and to help me get through my struggles while healing my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Why would I not trust him to guide me as I write about the ways He shows up for me?
Jehova-Jireh, the Lord will provide.
Jehova- Jireh, means that God is watching us very closely, searching for our needs and then providing for us when that need arises.
The Lord will provide salvation.
John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Salvation is the greatest provision that each one of us needs. God has provided for our eternal salvation by giving the greatest gift He could give—His Son—to die for our sins.
Jesus rescued me from the depths of my drug addiction at 20 years old. At that time, my dad was incredibly ill with early onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia. We took up visiting shifts between the hospital, nursing homes and home, and during this Jesus was watching out for me. I was lost in my addiction with only fellow addicts to call friends and in the background, Jesus was calling for me. My mom and sister were doing everything they could to hold our lives together and behind the scenes Jesus was preparing a way for me. He reached in and pulled me out of the pit I was in, and my life was forever changed.
Isaiah 25:9 (NIV)
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.
The Lord will provide a way back to him.
Romans 8:39 (NIV)
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Throughout the years I slowly drifted away from God, choosing my will over His. There have been plenty of times when I knew God was calling me back, but I was too stubborn to go. The loudest call I’ve had, came after my daughter was born. I was so lonely as a new stay at home mom of two. I felt lost without my career, longing for purpose outside of my children. God saw my loneliness and knew I needed more.
A dear friend invited me repeatedly to her mom ‘s group at church, but I was adamant that I just wasn’t a “moms group kind of girl.” I did, however, agree to join her for a Central Women’s movie night. From the moment I stepped in, I could feel the love the leaders had poured into the event and my spirit was suddenly still. I knew I was in the right place. I ended up joining the mom’s group, becoming a table leader, and eventually would be asked to lead the Central Mom’s group at our Mesa Campus.
By attending and investing in this mom’s group and returning to church each weekend, I found my way back to Jesus. And guess what, eventually, my husband did too.
The Lord will provide a way forward.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
If you would’ve told me 5 years ago that I would be homeschooling two karate kids, leading a mom’s group, and writing a blog for a Bible study, all while being completely sober, I would’ve scoffed. None of those things have ever been on a list of things I had the desire to do. Before having Jesus back in my life, my plan was to enjoy my career as a medical assistant, maybe even managing a practice someday. I imagined little things like toting my kids back-and-forth to softball and baseball games as they excelled in academics while earning lots of patches for their letterman’s jackets. Boy did God have other plans for my life! However, as I grow closer to Jesus, I realize it’s not about what I have planned, it’s about what He has planned for me. I constantly remind myself to lean in and trust that He has provided everything I need to complete the race he has set out before me.
Just as I had my own plans in mind for what God had blessed me with, I am sure Abraham had plans of his own future before God asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
Genesis 22:2 (NIV)
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love- Isaac_ and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Abraham, having built his relationship with God long before, had full faith in Him having proved Himself trustworthy. Abraham obediently packed his supplies along with his son and headed to the mountaintop. Once there, he prepared the altar and was ready with his knife in hand to sacrifice his son. However, because of Abraham’s faith, God came through and provided a ram in the thicket to offer instead. Abraham passed the test, and the nations were blessed for it.
Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
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.”
The Lord will provide a way out.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Although I have a history of drug addiction, I never would’ve called myself an alcoholic. Throughout the years, I have been able to stop drinking on my own accord, such as during my two pregnancies and while having some minor health issues here and there. When the pandemic hit however, I found myself leaning more and more on my glass of wine at night than on the strength of Jesus. I found myself anxiously awaiting that pre-dinner glass of wine and with the days all melting together, I would start earlier and earlier.
There was that deep feeling of loneliness again.
This feeling was more than just pandemic based. I had fallen away from Jesus and was trying to rely on my own strength again to pull through. When I heard about Celebrate Recovery, a Christ based twelve step program, during a sermon one day, I felt a pull at my heart. Jesus was calling me. A few months later, I was invited by a friend who didn’t want to go alone. I accepted and in turn encouraged my husband to check it out. A few weeks went by, and my husband felt called to join a step study, an answered prayer, and a story for a different day.
My husband and I have been on our journey of healing since October 2021. Not just practicing sobriety but diving deeper into our relationship with Jesus. It’s been incredible to see God show up in such a real way! Our marriage is better, our parenting is better, and God has revealed “hurts” that I didn't even realize I was carrying.
Thinking back throughout the years, of all the ways God has provided for me and continues to provide for me, is overwhelming at times. He continues to rescue me and make me open my eyes to the things He wishes to reveal to me. I know He will continue to push me towards things that are hard, and I welcome Him with open arms because I know it is His will, not mine, it’s His story of my life, not mine. How is God providing for you?”
Jehova-Jireh, the Lord will provide for you.
The future may be unknown, but our God is not. When God brings it all together, it’s not going to be what you think. It’s going to be bigger, better, and more rewarding than you ever expected.
How has Jehovah-Jireh shown Himself to you?
What area in your life is God using to draw you back to him?
What is God calling you to?
What is he asking you to sacrifice and release control of so He can put something better in its place?
With Jehovah Jireh guiding us we can confidently say yes!
Yes, to the things that terrify us.
Yes, to the things that are hard.
Yes, to the things the world would say no to.
Yes, to the things that require effort.
Yes, to the things that will inspire growth.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then approach God’s throne with grace and confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.