One of God’s names in the Old Testament is “Jehovah Jira,” which means “The Lord will provide.” We find this name in Genesis 22:1-19. These verses record how God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. Abraham had so much faith in God that he believed he could obey God’s command and still return home with a living, breathing Isaac. God had, after all, already promised that Isaac would have many descendants, and Abraham believed God would keep his word, even if that meant raising Isaac from the dead.

So Abraham arose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, cut enough wood for the sacrifice, took some fire, and set out with Isaac and two servants. Notice that Abraham brought all that he could for the sacrifice. He did not say, “OK, God, I’ll sacrifice my son, but if you really want me to do this, you better have an altar waiting for me when I get there.” No, when God gave Abraham difficult instructions, Abraham simply obeyed. He provided what he could provide and believed God would provide the miracle. And God did. At the last moment, God sent an angel to stop Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, and God also sent a ram that Abraham could sacrifice instead. Abraham responded by naming that place “The Lord Will Provide.”

Are we like Abraham? When we read what seems to be a difficult command from God in His Word, do we simply obey God and trust Him to provide all we need, or do we respond by telling Him what He has to do before we will obey?

Remember, trusting God does not mean we will not face a struggle. In fact, trusting God often means agreeing to a struggle — but believing deep down inside The Lord Will Provide.

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10