The Arabic calligraphy here is from vecteezy.com. I liked it because of the playful colors, which speak to me of the many varied and surprising ways that God, the Provider, provides for us.
This name is (though not the sound of it) is comfortable for enjoyers of contemporary Christian music. Jehovah Jireh, My Provider is for many of us a familiar song. In fact, when I got to looking, I found several songs that focus on the Hebrew Jireh, meaning provider.
I have my own song along these lines, written long ago. This tells the story of Abraham, at the time when he was called to sacrifice Isaac (or Ishmael according to Islamic teaching). God stopped him from doing it at the last minute and provided a ram caught by his horns in a thicket for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son. There have been two occasions in my life when I felt like I had to hold something dear to my heart loosely, in case God would require me to lay it down, times when I felt I was identifying with Abraham. The first time came when I was waiting for my husband-to-be to propose. The second time came as I was considering going to seminary. This song grew out of those times.
On the Mountain of the Lord
On the mountain of the Lord
It will be provided
All that You want me to give
On the mountain of the Lord
It will be provided
The strength and the courage to live.
I'll go walking up that mountain
With my hopes and my dreams in my hand.
I'll go walking up that mountain
Knowing You will allow me to stand.
Isaac was Abraham's deep delight,
A hope that was too good to lose
And God spoke to Abraham in the night
Saying, "Come to the mountain I choose.
Will you lay down your son there?
Will you hand the child over to me?
Will you give up his life there,
As a sign that you're trusting in me?
Abraham left for the mountain that day
Leading his son by the hand.
I think tears filled his eyes as he tried to pray,
As he watched his dreams crumble to sand.
He took wood and he took fire,
And he carefully guarded the knife.
And he wondered how he'd do it.
Would you ask him to take his son's life?
Abraham knew that he had to do it –
Whatever You asked him to do.
And somehow he knew You would see him through it
And still make Your promises true.
He bound Isaac to the altar
He was ready to go all the way.
And then You sent an angel.
You provided the ram there that day.
Now by faith, we're the children of Abraham.
And sometimes we'll walk in his shoes.
I believe there are times
We will hear Your voice calling
To come to the mountain You choose
To lay down there what we cherish
Without knowing just what we'll get back.
We must trust that You are faithful
And that You will supply every lack.
On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided
All that You want me to give
On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided
The strength and the courage to live
I'll go walking up that mountain
with my hopes and my dreams in my hand
I'll go walking up that mountain
Knowing You will allow me to stand.
As I read about this name on the My Islam website, I was struck by the distinction that they made between the action of God as the Giver, and the action of God as Provider. They explained that while gifts are free, provision requires action on our part, whether the action of work for physical provisions, or prayer for spiritual provision. I was reminded of God's provision of manna, and how the people had to gather it and prepare it and follow the rules (gather more the day before Sabbath).
I was reminded of the words of a friend of mine, who in teaching gratitude, likes to say that the universe (or God) has always provided all that he truly needed (though not always all that he wanted). He likes to say that he knows that because he is still here, he is still breathing.
I am disheartened this morning because of the political situation in the United States. Hard times are ahead. I am reminded of several verses in the Bible.
"Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us." Romans 5:3-5 (TPT).
"My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking." James 1:3-4 (TPT)›
Provider
You have always provided
All that I need
I know that because I am breathing.
Through sorrow and joy
You have cared for us all
Through winter and summer and springtime and fall.
You have been there.
You surround us with care
Through hardship and even disaster.
Through rich times and poor times
You hold out Your hand.
And through trials our faith will grow faster.
You have always provided
All that we need
We know that because we are breathing.
Through sorrow and joy
You have cared for us all
Through winter and summer and springtime and fall.
You have been there.
You surround us with care
Through hardship and even disaster.
Through rich times and poor times
You hold out Your hand
God, help us be true
And to fully trust You
And to know in our hearts
You're the Master.
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