Genesis 22:14 AMP*

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 go where He tells us to go, He 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. 

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 that did not allow for an overflow of funds. We were living on his one income, so although the money proved to be enough, it was a bit tight as well. We budgeted with the best of them, and, after our expenses were accounted for, there proved to be $10 extra each month.

I recall one month when the money kitty ran dry, as did the paper towel stock. It had dwindled to nothingness, and there would be no extra money to buy additional paper stock for a couple of weeks. 

Now, I do realize that in the scheme of things, a lack of paper towels is certainly not life threatening nor is it especially overflowing with holiness. After all, when was the last time you heard of some poor soul starving due to a lack of paper towels?  Lick your fingers for goodness sake! (smile) And holy?  I don’t think so. There is nothing especially holy about our tear-off friends, and who would think God would care one ounce about whether we had them or not honestly.They are an “extra” in life, making things a bit cleaner in the disposable way, but they are certainly not a need, holy or not. 

Tony and I, however, had become accustomed to using the handy little throw-aways at our meals. They weren’t necessary, but they certainly did make life simpler, so it was noticed when the supply dwindled. Running on auto-pilot, I would automatically reach for the little guys, only to find a quick reminder that the kitty had run dry. The $10 extra was gone that month, leaving behind only a whisper of, “Gosh, I wish we had some paper towels.” 

After sighing that quick wish list, I went about life as normal, sans paper towels. A few mornings later, after stepping outside the house for a moment, astonishment grew as the view of His provision began to soak in. 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 Bounty, but I know they were gifts straight from Above. It was Jehovah-Jireh at the helm.

The lack of wasn’t life-threatening, but the provision was certainly life-changing. It deposited yet another amazing attribute of the Lord God Almighty into reality, causing me to desire to press in to more of the Lord. It spoke powerfully that God was a faithful Provider, even when it came to simple, silly paper towels. It spoke that He cared and was a capable God. That provision, and the reminder of it, continues to speak volumes yet today.

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 today’s pure white roll with hard-earned cash, but the reminder of the ones the Lord provided shall ever remain a testimony on my lips. I needed that reminder this week as He guides me into deeper waters. It was looking a little scary or unnerving at times, and I wondered, “How?”

I’ll shout it from the mountaintops and will be reminded of it in times when He’s calling for a new level of stepping-out faith and obedience: He is the God that provides.  That’s how. The Lord God is Jehovah-Jireh. As we step out in obedience, He will provide

Be encouraged today!