March 10, 2024 - Genesis 22:7-8, 13-14

“Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”” Genesis 22:7-8, 13-14 NLT

Lord, thank you so much for how faithful you are to provide for us. I know these verses leave out a big portion of this story which is typically the main focus of this passage of scripture, but I want to focus on your provision today. I love Abraham’s faith in these verses. Abraham sets off to obey God and give you the sacrifice that you asked him for. You asked him to sacrifice Isaac. So often that is the focus of this story. Abraham’s faithfulness to you in his willingness to sacrifice the thing he valued most. Isaac was the fulfillment of your promise to him. But he walked in obedience because he knew you would provide. He knew one way or another you would fulfill your promise to him.

Lord, help us learn to trust you like Abraham. Let us be willing to lay down anything you ask for, and trust that you will provide all that we need. Give us faith like Abraham. Give us a love for you and devotion to you like Abraham had. Help us walk in obedience to you even when what you are asking causes us to sacrifice something of great value and will cause us pain. Even in times like that, let us trust you to carry us through and provide all that we need to get through. We declare you are and always will be our Yahweh-Yireh!

In Jesus name, amen.