Category: I am the provider

Romans 8:31-32 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

“Paul appears to be saying that in the same way that Abraham’s commitment to the Lord was exhibited by his readiness to give even his son, so the Father’s commitment to the human race was clearly expressed in His readiness to give his only Son. This being the case, it is reasonable for believers to assume that God, having given the greatest, will not fail ‘to give us all things’ (v. 32 ), for what could God give that would approach the cost of Calvary?” [The Preacher’s Commentary, Romans, Kindle]

God’s provisions are not limited to material things. Jesus tells us in John 10:10, he came to give us a rich and satisfying life. God will give us all that we need to experience the abundance of life in Jesus.

Let’s spend some time in prayer using this prayer as a guide.

“Lord, I trust that you will always provide all that I need to have the greatest joy, pleasure, happiness and fulfillment. I am not afraid of giving you my all – serving, sacrificing, giving my life as a blessing to others. You will always provide for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.” [P. Jason P.’s message]

-DP

Genesis 22:13-14 (NIV) 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 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.”

“Notice the future tense. The Lord will provide. What will the Lord provide? The Lamb of God, the Offspring of Abraham, the Beloved Son, the Hope of the world. One day, on that very mountain, God would provide the ultimate atonement. And the people knew it. For centuries afterwards they would point to that hill and say: ‘The true sacrifice is coming, and that’s where he’ll be provided!’ What’s it All About? God did not ask Abraham to go through with the sacrifice. But one day God would provide. He would offer his Beloved to the world. On a dark Friday 2000 years later, the Son of God willingly walked up that hill, carrying the wood on his back. The Messiah stood at the head of his people and he died to make atonement.” [Glen Scrivener, Long Story Short: The Bible in 12 Phrases, Kindle]

Let’s pray: Father, we worship you and praise you! Thank you for your ultimate provision in your son Jesus Christ! Help us to be fully assured in your love and provisions for us today. In Jesus’ name, amen

Let’s worship to “Anthem” by Phil Wickham.

-DP

Genesis 22:9-12 (NIV) 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

“At what point will God provide this lamb? There is nothing like a crisis of faith to make us attentive in all ways to God…on the mountain of the LORD, the mountain of sacrifice, obedience, surrender, desperation, I don’t know if God will come through, but I hope he comes through…on this mountain, he will always provide.” [P. Jason P.’s message]

What is it that you can’t live without? On the mountain of desperation, can you surrender that to the Lord trusting that God will see to it to bless our lives?

Let’s pray: Father, on this mountain of desperation, help us to obey you, to follow through, to trust and to surrender. We want to fear you and you alone. We trust that you will provide and come through. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-DP

Genesis 22:3 (NLT) ³ The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. ⁴ On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

In the face of an unthinkable situation, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. How could Abraham go through with this? Abraham could have reasoned himself out of doing what God was asking him to do, but he didn’t even ask why. Instead, he obeyed immediately.

“From chapters 12 to 22, Abraham says yes to extraordinary things. But every time, there is a little bit of ambiguity to his obedience. God never chastises him…In chapter 22, we see how far along God has brought him, how much God has invested in one person to develop perfect obedient faith.” [P. Jason P’s Message]

How was Abraham’s obedience in chapter 22 different from previous acts of obedience?

What enables you to obey in the midst of crisis of faith?

More than knowing how everything is going to work out or knowing why, Abraham knew the “who,” God who is good and faithful!

Let’s pray: Father, help us to sing of your goodness especially in the midst of uncertain times and to keep obeying and trusting you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Let’s sing, “Goodness of God” by Bethel. 

-DP

Genesis 22:1 (NLT) Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith.

Abraham’s journey of faith was not always smooth. Like much of our experience, it was mixed with fear and mistakes, ups and downs and often taking matters into his own hands. However, God does not give up on Abraham or on his promises. God trains Abraham to be faithful. In chapter 22, Abraham is given the most difficult test of his faith – to obey and trust God in a crisis when nothing seemed to make sense. Why would God test Abraham in this way? God was going to reveal his goodness to Abraham through this unthinkable situation. The test served to prepare him, to bless him and to bless the nations abundantly through him.

Perhaps you are in a season where your faith is being tested, stretched like never before. Let’s trust that God wants to bless you even more abundantly and reveal his goodness to you like never before.

Let’s pray: Father, we recognized that our faith will be tested at times, stretched beyond what’s comfortable. Even when it hurts and we don’t understand exactly, we trust you and we believe that you are expanding our capacity to know you and experience your goodness like never before through this time. We trust you and we love you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Spend some time worshipping the Lord to “Never Once” by Matt Redman and remember God’s faithfulness to us over the years.

 

-DP