Jehovah Jireh - The God Who Provides Series

Verse: By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son, his only son, as he had been to receive him – and this after he had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac." Abraham figured that if God wanted to, he could raise the dead. In a sense, that’s what happened when he received Isaac back, alive from off the altar. Hb. 11:17

Note: Faith believes that nothing is impossible w/ God. And it’s always willing to trust God w/ that which you value the most in life.

V The RECKONING (Attempt) v. 9-10

Recap: Abe gets to the top and proceeds w/ his business. The moment of truth has arrived – Abe builds the altar, binds His son, lays Isaac on the altar, and rears back the knife.

Point: God often has to take us to the brink to confirm our faith - but His timing is perfect.

Insert: We must remember that our circumstances never test the credibility or the faithfulness of God, but rather they serve solely to test our understanding of the character and purpose of God in our life.

VI The RELIEF (Provision) v. 11-14

Quote: Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God? He knows all, sees all, is aware of all, and cares for all. God longs to meet us at the point of our need.

Recap: The angel of the Lord shows up just in time to stop Abe and God provides a perfect ram in the thicket as a substitute sacrifice.

Insert: Now don’t miss the obvious. Not only was God testing Abe’s faith, but He was showing us a picture of what He would later do for you and me – He offered His one and only Son as a perfect propitiation for our sin – only no one will step in when the nails are driven into His hands and feet and a spear was thrust in His side.

Note: God demonstrated His love for Abe by providing a worthy sacrifice to spare His Son just as He provide a spotless lamb to rescue you and me for eternal damnation.

Verse: God demonstrated His love for me and you, while we were sinner Christ died for us.

Point: God knows in advance exactly what we need and He has already made a perfect provision to address the situation. The question is… will we trust Him?

VII The REWARD (Blessing) v. 15-19

Trans: If we do trust Him, and we are in our situation b/c of God’s leading and not b/c of our disobedience, then God can bless us according to His riches in glory.

Recap: B/c Abe didn’t w/hold his son, God blessed him and fulfilled his covenant w/ him.

Point: Never forget though, God’s greatest blessing is that He wants more that something religious w/ you, He wants something personal – He wants a relationship.

Concl: Has God brought you to the plate in the bottom of the 9th w/ the game on the line to see if you will trust Him to provide – to be Jehovah Jireh in and through your life?

By faith – take a swing – give God a chance to show you who He really is – the God who wants to meet you at the point of your deepest need in order to provide for you.