Feeling alone? Are you in a trial, difficult situation or feeling stuck in a “desert”? You are not alone. God knows where you are, and he will answer you when you cry out for him. Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up.

Understanding His names is a means to understand who God is—and, in turn, how important you are to Him.

First we looked at the names Elohim and Jehovah: the strong creator and the self-existent one. Next we concentrated on Adonai: owner, master, and supreme authority. This week we’ll consider Jehovah-Jireh: your provider.

The names of God convey the truth of His power, love, sovereignty and authority. He created you, loves you and His desire is to be intimately involved in your life. He sees you; he’s with you. Receive the grace and love of God, and feel His healing touch today.

God will provide all you need as you go through life and times of testing.

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’ Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ 8 Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together. 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.’ 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.’” (Genesis 22:2-14, NIV).

Faith is Revealed When We Trust and Obey

Often, we will not see the hand of God until we obey and trust God whole-heartedly. God tells Abraham “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Didn’t God already know that Abraham reverenced God? Didn’t God already know that Abraham would obey. Sure, he did!! However, Abraham learns that his faith in God is real and that God is first in his heart by his act of obedience.

Like Abraham, we will learn our faith is real and that God is first in our hearts as we are tested and obey God.

Times of Testing Reveal God’s Provision

When God tests you, it is not for God to see whether you’re faith is real; it is so you know your faith is real. It is so you understand and learn to trust God all the more, and for the next time. It is so you will know that God will provide. It is so you understand that God sees, and He will meet every need. It is so you will know and experience and believe God will provide for you.

• Do you know God as Jehovah-Jireh, your provider?

• Do you believe God is Jehovah-Jireh, your provider?

• Do you experienced God as Jehovah-Jireh, your provider?

• Can you trust God to be Jehovah-Jireh—your provider—in your times of testing?

Learning that God will provide often follows faith and obedience. Delayed or incomplete obedience is nothing less than disobedience.

“The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.’” (Genesis 22:15-18)

Abraham’s obedience brought blessing. God provided all that Abraham needed. All that was promised to Abraham God faithfully provided.

God also provided for us through Jesus

Jesus is Our Provider:

• Providing redemption and forgiveness.

• Providing eternal life to all, who so ever believes in Jesus.

Can you say you know God as Jehovah-Jireh, your provider?

I want to go on the record and say that God has provided for all my needs. He paid the debt that I could never pay. He has not given me everything I wanted, but he has certainly given me what I needed: Grace, mercy, forgiveness and salvation.

He has given me a godly wife, family, and friends. He has blessed me and loves me. He has always been faithful and provided.

Trials Build You Up

The greatest need we all have is salvation. He promised it and He has freely provided it. All we need do is believe. Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. They are to reveal your heart. They are to teach you more about yourself and for you to learn about the God who created and loves you.

God desires to reveal himself to you as Jehovah-Jireh—your provider. He loves you. Share his grace and love with others; receive it for yourself today and know that He is with you, He sees you. Feel His loving arms around you and give Him the glory.

Song Reference

Big Daddy Weave, Trust and Obey

This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.