Jehovah-Jireh was the name Abraham gave to the place on a mountain in the land of Moriah where he was preparing to slay his son Isaac and present him as a burnt offering to the Lord but was miraculously provided with a ram to offer instead. (See Genesis 22: 1-14) The term Jehovah-Jireh is translated “the Lord will see and the Lord will provide.” We serve a mighty and gracious God who not only sees all, but taking care of what belongs to Him is a part of His divine nature. Knowing this, we can all take a step back on the mountains we individually struggle with daily and avoid making hasty decisions which lead to unwise, impulsive actions or running ourselves ragged trying to check all the boxes of our never-ending “To Do List.” We can relax and take comfort in knowing that God is here to provide for all of our needs.
Now, I am in no way advocating slothfulness, but in this fast-paced world we live in, the stress of handling our daily business and seeking to maintain or improve our standard of living can literally be detrimental not only to our physical health, but our spiritual health as well. We can sometimes feel that more and more of what we do seems to be inadequate and we find ourselves being driven to do more, achieve more, accomplish more, acquire more. In motoring terms, we inadvertently push our RPM’s past redline and find our engines overheating with smoke coming out of our tailpipes.
There is a term that is used to describe this societal disorder and it’s called “the rat race.” It is a condition of the human experience whereby we become overly and immoderately involved in the material aspects of life. The definition of a “rat race” is strenuous, wearisome, and usually competitive activity or rush. It is also defined as an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The wisdom contained in God’s Word directly addresses this issue and the problems it causes. It states, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 1: 14) The word vanity means “meaningless, worthless, empty or futile.” This prudent and sensible scripture is a short but comprehensive description of all the earthly pursuits we get so entangled with which endanger our health, ruin our relationships or waste our resources.
In our quest to achieve temporal satisfaction for both us and our families, we often find ourselves furiously chasing after those things we think we need. But here is the irony ….. all we need is Jesus! He is everything to us and we have need of nothing else. Framed perfectly, the Psalmist tells us this, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23: 1) To get an accurate sense of the beauty of this passage we must understand that a shepherd is one who gathers, tends, guards, protects, guides, provides and watches over His flock. It is an awesome analogy demonstrating the tender, loving care we receive from the Lord our God who leads us beside the still waters and causes us to lie down in green pastures. “Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100: 3-4) And Jesus, who is the Chief Shepherd, the ultimate caretaker, the supreme overseer, the Shepherd of shepherds will never fail to provide for His people. When the Lord is our Shepherd, we have no desire or necessity for anything else because He provides everything we need. Not only temporally, but more importantly, spiritually.
Make no mistake, the Lord is not disregarding the difficulties we face here on earth. He intimately understands our humanity even better than we do. He has endured everything we have and more, yet without sin and now sits on the right hand of our Heavenly Father making intercession for us. Therefore He certainly knows what we need to survive on the planet that He created. But as stated in the 12th Chapter of Luke:
[22] And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
The key is to “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14: 1) Don’t stress out about your perceived lack of assets or not having enough hours in the day, but be mindful that our relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of our existence. Do what you can and then be content and thankful for what you do have. And then give God the glory in advance “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8: 28). At times it may not look or feel like your needs are being met or you are falling behind schedule, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)
So at the end of the day it’s not about what we have or don’t have or how many tasks we are able to complete. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8: 36) Therefore, our heart and mindset should be this, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4: 12-13) And because His strength is made perfect in our weakness, it is through that strength we can say, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 2-4)
And therein lies the crux of the matter. We must keep our hearts pure because what is really happening is a vicious assault by Satan on our spirit. A sustained, murderous assault on our love, our joy, our peace, our longsuffering, our gentleness, our goodness, our faith, our meekness and our temperance. But don’t be surprised at the attack because it’s all a part of our enemy’s plan to destroy you. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (1 Peter 4: 12) “Behold, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22: 31) Whether you know it or not you are in a war and the adversary is playing hardball. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6: 12) So don’t get distracted by carnal conditions and earthly desires but continue to fight the good fight of faith. “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2: 4)
And don’t be discouraged if you don’t have everything that you want because everything that you want is not necessarily everything that you need. Be cognizant of the whirlwind pace you are engaged in just trying to keep your head above water at home, at church, on the job, or with acquaintances. We can even get stressed out participating in leisure activities! Here’s a tip, sometimes you just have to say no. But always say yes to exerting the majority of your energy in keeping your focus on heaven to provide what is best for you and enlightening you on the best way to attain it. Say to yourself, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121: 1-2) And while you are looking up towards heaven, remember and be aware dear ones, that our God in heaven is looking down towards you. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” (2 Chronicles 16: 9)
So no matter what things may look like, don’t be deceived and think God has forsaken you. Looks can be deceiving and emotions can be misleading but Jehovah-Jireh, the God of all provision, protection, peace and prosperity will always be everything you need. “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” (Isaiah 41: 13) So walk by faith and not by sight, believe in the Word of God and the power of His might, be convinced that He is never wrong but always right, and continue to trust in Jesus because He is the Light.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. (Psalm 34: 8-9)
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