Mark the beginning of a brand-new month with a devotional, taken from Pastor Michael Ross-Watson’s online series of Daily Devotionals at michaelrosswatson.com
Bible Reading: Genesis 22:7-14; Philippians 4:19
Abraham was determined to obey God whatever it cost. He built the altar, placed the wood in order, and then bound his son Isaac, and placed him on the altar. God had not provided a lamb as a substitute for Isaac and so Abram took the knife to slay his son. This raises a question – how far are we prepared to go in obedience to God? At the last moment God stepped in and provided a substitute [verse 13]. So often, when it is a matter of obedience and faith, it is at the last moment that God provides. One of the hardest things for us is to wait for God and still believe even though it is the last minute.
Abraham called the name of the place where God provided “Jehovah Jireh” which directly translated means “The Lord will provide”. It is an interesting parallel between the ram offered on the altar as a substitute for Isaac and Christ offered on the cross as a substitute for us. Whereas God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, God did not spare His Son, Jesus, from dying on the cross. God provided both a substitute for Isaac and a substitute for us.
There is a tremendous significance for us today in God’s provision for Abraham at Mount Moriah. The text reads, “And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided’” [verse14]. “To this day” means that beyond the time of Abraham God still provides on the mountain. We know that Jerusalem was built on Mount Moriah – “Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah” [2 Chronicles 3:1]. Mount Moriah rises to a plateau on which the temple was built, but then continues to rise to its peak, north of Jerusalem, outside the city wall. The peak of Mount Moriah is shaped like a skull and known as Golgotha – it was where Jesus was crucified.
There has been a tendency to think that Jehovah Jireh relates primarily to God’s provision of finance, but that is only a small part of it’s meaning. God provided everything that we need today at Mount Moriah, known to us as Calvary where Jesus was crucified. At the cross where Jesus died there is forgiveness, cleansing, redemption, healing, peace, and every other form of God’s provision for us. The God who provided for Abraham still provides for us today and at the very same place. No wonder Paul said to the Corinthians, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” [1 Corinthians 2:2].
Questions:
- If you have been praying about a specific need, hang in there and don’t give up. Why do you think it is that God so often seems to provide for us at the very last moment?
- What is your need today? Read Philippians 4:19 and note the word “all”. Will you acknowledge today that every need you have has been paid for at the cross, and then come in humility and ask God to meet your need?
