Jehovah-Jireh

Is God your Jehovah-Jireh?

Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh Will Provide. As it is said to this day, “On Yahweh’s mountain, it will be provided.”

Gen. 22:14 WEB

There was a time several years ago when the Lord God displayed His name beautifully to our family. He proved Himself quite faithful as Jehovah-Jireh, or The Lord Will Provide.

This story has been recounted twice this week in conversations with my sweet friends, Kristen and Nikki. It has brought much encouragement to me personally as a reminder that the Lord God does indeed provide.

It seems only appropriate to pass that encouragement along, reminding you as well that the Lord is your provision.

When we walk in obedience to His calling, when we journey in the direction His finger points, God certainly provides. When we step out into waters unknown at the sound of His call, drawing deeper in the things of the Lord, Jehovah-Jireh will be there.

God Provides

We lived in the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida in the late 1990’s. Tony, my husband, had just gone back into the Navy as a junior enlisted sailor, a position disallowing an overflow of funds. We lived on his income–beans and rice style. We budgeted with the best of them, and after our expenses were accounted for, $10 extra awaited us each month.

One month the money ran dry. So did the paper towel stock.

I realize that in the scheme of things, a lack of paper towels threatens no one’s life nor does it overflow with holiness. After all, when was the last time some poor soul starved due to a pantry void of the white throw-aways?

Lick your fingers for goodness sake! 🙂

And holy? Umm, no.

They are an “extra” in life, making things a bit cleaner in the disposable way, but don’t consider them a need.

Tony and I, however, grew accustomed to using the handy little throw-aways at our meals. Not a necessary, but they certainly made life simpler. Running on auto-pilot, I reached for the little guys time after time, but came up empty-handed.

The $10 extra vanished that month, leaving behind only a whisper of, “Gosh, I wish we had some paper towels.”

A few mornings later, after stepping outside the house, astonishment grew as the view of His provision met me. There, on our yard, thrown out for all to see, were glorious paper towels! The white ditties were neatly packaged in plastic, numbering aplenty for the remaining month’s need. I think my mouth hung open about as wide as it ever has, and I certainly stopped dead in my tracks.

As I scanned the neighborhood, it became evident that every tiny yard on our quiet cul-de-sac contained this neat little gift. They were labeled as samples from a major brand, but I knew they were gifts straight from Above.

Friends, Jehovah-Jireh stands at the helm.

The lack wasn’t life-threatening, but the provision was certainly life-changing.

My Testimony

It deposited yet another amazing attribute of the Lord God Almighty into reality, causing me to desire more of the Lord. This miracle spoke powerfully of God as a faithful Provider, even concerning simple, silly paper towels. The situation championed His care and capability.

The reminder of that provision speaks volumes still. Just as this portion of our story does, too.

If you look at our kitchen counter now, you will see that it is covered with various items (too many!), including a roll of paper towels. We bought the current roll with hard-earned cash, but the reminder of the towels the Lord provided shall ever remain a testimony on my lips.

I needed that this week because He’s guiding me into deeper waters. It’s a little scary or unnerving at times, and I wonder, “How?”

Because He’s Jehovah-Jireh–the God who provides. That’s how.

Be encouraged today!