Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural.
— Oswald Chambers
After God provided a miraculous son to Abraham and Sarah, He asked the unimaginable. God told Abraham to bring everything needed for a sacrifice to the top of the mountain and there Abraham's faith rose above any expectation. The author of Hebrews gives us some insight into what happened in that moment:
"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death." (Heb. 11:17-19)
We might think this story is about Abraham's faith but we would be missing the heart of the story. God saw Abraham's faith and provided an alternative sacrifice (instead of his son). The Lord provided a ram at just the right moment and through this God actually provided the sacrifice for the offering.
It was at this time in history that God was first called "Jehovah Jireh," or the God who provides.
And when we think of God as our provider today, we will remember that ultimately He provided Jesus as our sacrifice, to cover our sins and pay the price for our iniquity.
Worship the God who provides, Jehovah Jireh
Lord, I am amazed that You took my place and died for my sins. This sacrifice will never cease to to take my breath away. You provided for more than just what I want today, or the essentials for this life, but You provided for my eternity.
Genesis 22: 8, 13 - 14
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together...
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 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.”
Appropriate the truth of scripture as you grow in your walk of faith
Lord, I know that You will meet all my needs. You feed the birds of the air and clothe the flowers of the field, so I trust that You will take care of whatever it is I need today.
Matthew 6:28-33
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Light - Walk in the light by openly confessing your sins and need for God
Lord, I come to You knowing that I cannot cover the stain of my sin in my own power. I cannot be cleansed from my unrighteousness without Your sacrifice. Cleanse me from all sin, from all wrongdoing, and may I offer to You the only thing You desire - a broken and contrite heart.
Psalm 51:1-4, 16, 17
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
1 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
Know Him more and more as you spend time with Him daily
Lord, teach me to see You in every gift, to trust You for what I need, and to be content with what You've given me. Thank you for being the God who provides for me.
Philippians 4: 11-13, 19
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me...
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Father, I am overwhelmed by Your provision of Jesus as the sacrifice for my sins. Never let me take for granted this one most amazing gift of all time.
S - Missions
M - Family
T - Church and Friends
W - Work
Th - Community
F - World affairs
Sat - Self
Blessings on your day,
Heather
P.S. If you just jumped into this blog post, you can read the first post explaining how to walk with God through your prayer life and the first day of praying through scripture here.
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