It must have felt like a riddle he couldn’t quite solve.
For two days, Abraham had been walking across the harsh middle eastern landscape with an unthinkable assignment and a heavy heart. Maybe he’d rehearsed all of the steps to obey what was required of him and wondered how the provision of God he’d experienced so profoundly could be reconciled with what came next.
God had already promised to provide for Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15:18–19). And Abraham believed Him (Romans 4:3). I imagine the kinds of questions he may have asked, wondering what form would God’s care take now—now that He’d asked Abraham to slaughter his own son. “Will He send an angel to stop me? Will He bring my boy back from the dead? Will He provide the peace I’ll need to live with what I’ve done?”
Then the third day came…“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance” (Genesis 22:4).
As father and son ascended the hill, Isaac wondered aloud, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (v.7). Where Isaac saw lack, Abraham spoke in faith, “God himself will provide…” (v.8). Abraham may not have known how he would be provided for, but he most certainly knew who would provide. When the God of the universe called, Abraham had a track record of responding in faith: “Here I am.”
God used the words of an angel and an entangled ram to meet Abraham’s needs that day. With a voice surely shaky with gratitude, Abraham named the mountain after what he’d seen God do.
And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide.
—Genesis 22:14
God’s provision on that mountain with Abraham is a small version of the provision to come on a different mountain. The God who provided the sacrifice on Abraham’s mountain also sent His Son to Calvary. In Jesus, God provided the perfect solution for our sin problem. No ram caught in a thicket, but the Lamb of God sent to die for our sins.
And again, the third day came…God provided fresh hope. The living Jesus, eager to see us join Him in resurrection life. Whether our needs seem teeny tiny or tremendous, we can draw a straight line from sin’s destruction to what Jesus has done. And when we don’t know how things will work out, we can still know who will provide a way for us, just as Romans says.
He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?
—Romans 8:32
What further proof do we need than the cross to recognize God’s perfect provision? When “what-if?” worries come (and they will), look to the mountain and thank the God who will always provide.
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132 thoughts on "Generous Provider, Come"
Thank you Lord for providing everything I need.
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Jehovah jireh.
Amen
Wonderful devotion today ❤️
We are always provided for in His perfect way
The Lord provides. The Lord also expects full surrender. I don’t know if I would ever be able to surrender even the life of a loved one. The amount of trust that would take is beyond my comprehension
I thank God who has always provided for me.
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The story of Abraham and Isaac has always been difficult for me. The parallel drawn from that story to Jesus Christ was made so clear to me in this devotion. More clear than any other way someone has explained it! I’m thankful for SRT and the purposeful writings they give us. Every word is important and gives you much to think about. ❤️
He provides!
Before I had my son, I read Abraham and Isaac’s story quite differently. I understood it was a sacrifice of someone Abraham loved, but I didn’t grasp the depth of it. Abraham was 100 when he had Isaac. For years, he and his wife did not conceive until God intervened. Then, God asks him to sacrifice this son he had waited and longed for. What faith Abraham had in that moment! I also waited and longed for my son. He was conceived with God’s interventions and IVF. This story shows me so much more now because I can’t fathom sacrificing my son. Thankfully, God has provided his Son for sacrifice and took my and Abraham’s place for it. I know there is even more to this story that I’m not taking in at this moment, but I do sit snuggling my 3 year old and I’m grateful.
HE provides! In His time and in His ways! This is a memory I need to hold tightly to.
“What form would God’s care take.” This stood out to me because it took me a while to really see all the ways God was providing for me in situations where I initially felt like my prayers were going unanswered. It took us a few years to start a family and when I would pray for a healthy pregnancy and it wouldn’t work out I would wonder why God wasn’t answering my prayers. But then I started noticing all the ways He was providing for me whether it was keeping my marriage strong through difficult times, leading me to attentive and proactive medical professionals, or just knowing that God sees my suffering and I’m not alone. Now when I pray for a situation I still ask for certain outcomes but I also pray for peace and comfort if God has other plans because sometimes that is the form His care takes.
Praying for you, Teresa!
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32
Every time I read this story, my first thoughts are of Isaac and what it must have been like to be him in this situation. Would he have felt betrayed? Scared? Heartbroken? And then my thoughts shift to Abraham and the strength of faith it would’ve taken to sacrifice his son. I’m not so sure I would be able to go through with even the hike up the mountain.
I always end up thinking, “thank God we don’t have to do sacrifices like this anymore! Thank God I don’t live in that time period because it would make me sad.”
I’m thankful that God provided His son as a sacrifice for our sins. I’m thankful that God understands how hard that must have been for both Abraham and Isaac. I’m thankful that Jesus was willing, even though He was praying for another way.
His perfect sacrifice has saved me from myself – thank you God
Praying for you right now Teresa
❤️
I am so glad to live in Colorado and get to look to the mountains everyday! After reading today’s passage I want to look at them differently and see the Lords faithfulness!
I can see Longs and Meeker from my house in Colorado. When the scripture says Abraham looked up and saw the place, I always wonder how much farther Abraham and Issac had to go. Simply walking it would take days to reach the mountain peak from the moment you can see the Rocky Mountains.
Amen
When the son asks where is the sacrifice? That’s an unbelievable question for a dad- knowing he is.
Teresa, sweet sister. You have a whole community praying for you. And I hope you know you are not alone in this journey. Praying that God brings you peace as you start navigating this new path. Sending much love.
And again…
the third day came….
Whewww….
Where Isaac saw lack, Abraham spoke in faith!
I can’t imagine having that unwavering faith to say “yes” to sacrificing my son. I have 5 sons and I can’t imagine losing a single one of them, let alone, willingly walking them up a hill to take their life. I pray for that kind of faith. I will admit, I am nowhere close. I aspire to be.
I was also reminded that if God sent his very own son for me, what else possibly would he withhold from me?
He gave me his BEST already, he’s going to always provide, no matter the circumstances, because he said he would.
I was thinking similarly as I read. To have the faithfulness of Abraham, WOW! I too pray to have that faith.
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This is definitely something I struggle with. I pray that I can be like Abraham and let my answer always be “Here I am Lord”, even when life gets difficult and I can’t see the way. I need to remember HE provides and always will!
God always provides! As I look back on situations in my life God has always been there! I went to a gathering and some people that I wasn’t prepared to see weren’t supposed to be there. Well then we thought they were so my friend called but it turns out they did not come and it was all God! I was able to relax and have a pretty good time!
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When, “what-if’s?” worries come, look to the mountains and thank the God who will always provide.
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I love the comparisons and foreshadowing that we find in Old Testament…for so long I only read New Testament, and now I love seeing how everything works together.
I named my dog Abraham!
I love human names for dogs – that’s awesome!
On the third day, new hope was given! Thank you God for Your perfect timing. May I respond like Abraham, always believing you and with a quick, “here I am.”
My Response is, Hallelujah!! You are Jehovah Jireh!!
So powerful!!!
♥️
I am praying for you dear Theresa.
The Lord wants us to give Him what we love most. Always what we love most. Be careful what we love. Make sure it is God. Because if not, we may be loving the wrong things. The test of love is so difficult. God gives us His best, and He will test us by our giving back to Him, sometimes the test is on everything, even our life. I found peace in these verses, “whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25), “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). And even the story of Job, who lost everything through a long and heart wrenching season of tests, calamity after calamity, Job received double from the Lord.
Thank you dear she’s for praying for me. My injured eye has been improving. Some sharp particle fell in and damaged/ripped a large spot of the cornea. I was given a clear bandage contact lense to wear till next week. God was gracious to open an emergency appointment for me like instantly, I was attended to. I was very mad at the devil. Yesterday with one good eye, I told myself, I would go onto my computer, and read through, I will fight through with what I got, and I will intercede. Praise God, today I could see with both eyes today. Thank you dear she’s. I would appreciate your prayers that the scratches from this injury don’t make my vision worse. I wear prescription glasses. Update on baby Mikayla from her mom: turned out she got covid, and maybe the household got it too, could you please pray for their recovery? Thank you so much dear she’s.
PRAYERS LIFTED UP…
@JENIFER N: healing for spinal arthritis and cysts. Thank you for your testimony.
@CINDY HANNA: strength and grace as you trust God with your obedience.
@BEBE ROGERS: opening of new job.
@CEE GEE: provision of caregiver for the mom, solutions from God.
@LAURA DIANE: job opportunity for your husband. Such touching testimony (as always)!
@KIMMEE AUXIER: I am so sorry for your loss.
@AIMEE D-R : mom’s healing and strength during the hospital treatment.
@DEANNA RASCH: grace for embracing a new child, a new family in law, adjusting, praise God you are coming to terms with your son.
@TINA: thank you for another heartfelt story! I cried tears of joy. I agree with SEARCHING, please write a book TINA. You are so good at telling stories, building climaxes of emotions, and then your soft and gentle reflections, it’s all so good.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Mercy, praying for continued healing of your eye x
I had my appointment with the neurologist today. It lasted two hours. As I feared, I have Alzheimer’s Disease. I did okay while I was there, talking to her about what comes next. I felt God there, helping to listen and understand without totally failing apart. Now that I’m home, I just feel numb and sad. I know I haven’t taken it in yet, and I’m thankful God is letting me take this in small waves instead one gigantic tsunami. Thank you to everyone praying for me. I knew I wasn’t alone, and felt your prayers. Please keep me in your continued prayers.
praying!❤️
Teresa, praying God continues to show you His presence and brings peace x
Teresa Donley, I am continuing to pray for you. Will your neurologist look into one of the newer treatments for you?
VICTORIA E – thank you for your prayers. I know God hears, and He listens.
I’ll be taking Aricept as soon as the pharmacy has it in stock.
Lifting you in prayer Teresa!
Teresa I am holding your hand in prayer as you face what comes next.
Girl – God has you – this will be hard on your family. Just remind them when and as you can how much you love them!
Praying for you
Teresa you will be in my prayers.❤️
Praying for you, Teresa. What a hard diagnosis. Gods grace is sufficient for you. Praying that you will know the love of Christ, and that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Praying that you will know His presence, in a very special way. ❤️
Amen. Something I need to remind myself of constantly!
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God showed through Abraham/Isaac’s challenge that He is always in control. He showed us through Jesus’ walk here on earth and His challenges that again He is always in control. When we are in dire circumstances You are God Almighty, always in control. God, You provide perfect timing (even when I think You are slow or not showing up); You answer prayers (silly teenage prayers and hard broken heart prayers; You challenge lifestyles when I try to go my own way (and remind me to repent and seek Your forgiveness); You give hope in my dreams at night in amazing ways; You stretch my faith to keep me seeking You first always; You give me strength, energy and perseverance when I’m ready to quit; You have the way through every circumstance and situation — Thank You Jehovah Jireh
I overthink and struggle with worry. I want to know how things will turn out before i can have complete peace. I pray that I can trust that the Lord will provide even when I don’t understand how. I know that the lord has provided so many times in the past, I know he will provide again.
As a parent I can’t imagine what Abraham was thinking when God commanded him to take Issac as an offering and as a child like Issac can’t imagine what he was thinking. But what I’ve learned is that Issac trusted and had faith in his father not to actually do it even though he was possibly old enough to take control and overpower his father. But Abraham had faith and trust in the Lord to provide another way to spare his son when he proved that his obedience was worthy enough. I find peace, joy and hope knowing that God provided His Son Jesus Christ as that sacrifice for a beating and death that was intended for me. It is in my obedience to believe in that and have faith to act on it
Finding peace in not knowing how the Lord will provide but knowing He WILL provide is so freeing but still difficult. Striving for that comfort today.
KIMMEE AUXIER, I am so sorry for your loss.. sorry that this is your journey.. and yet, BUT GOD, right..? In the storms of our life, God is ever present, ever faithful.. Elijahs legacy will go on for years to come, and though he is not here in the physical, his name will be mentioned every day, because your love for him is for always.. and God always makes a way through the storms that batter and break our hearts..
Hugs dear KIMMEE..❤️
I know the faithfulness of God and love the reminder of Abraham ! Just a few things in my life that vin have seen and trusted HIM in:
Oldest daughter 4 weeks early
Middle daughter 10 weeks early 2 pounds – nearly lost my life & hers
Last youngest daughter liver transplant
Adoption of son at 3, from fighting addiction as a teen to looking for a church to connect with. Now in the army
Saved my life by sending me an amazing man ( I was only 18 and only knew him for 3 months before our marraige ) now 33 years
Marraige restoration
Home I live in,
Recovering and the ability to stay away from addiction
Now faced with spinal arthritis and cysts in my back, Drs only wanting to focus on pain management , I know God can and will heal when it’s time.
And the healing may come in death , and for me knowing my savior – it’s ok with me!!
So many comments! From the 3rd day, carrying of the wood, and the thicket.
My prayer throughout the time of Tanner becoming so sick and knowing death was near, was to keep my eyes up on God. I believe it is the only way I made it through. It is easy to lower those eyes when life has more normality. I pray that I can keep them up on my Father and Savior always.
TINA – As I’m reading your story, I’m sobbing. It just broke me up. God always provides!
I’m so happy you can look at that hill and be close to Julee.
MARYA KAT – prayers dear sister in Christ. You are not alone. I understand how hard this time of year can be with the loss of our children.
AIMEE D-R – praying for your mom and good results.
LESLIE GILLOW – prayers
CARA P -prayers
KIMMEE AUXIER – When my son had his first kidney transplant we stayed at a Ronald McDonald house. What a great provision you are providing.
Uvhf
God is more than enough to get me through anything. He is so good
I confess. Only knowing that today’s reading is a prophetic foretelling of all that would occur to HIS own son Jesus, helps me to process a seemingly brutal command from God. Without Abrahams faithfulness as an example I would never understand the heart of God as a father. He allowed his precious son to be a sacrifice for the redemption of many. Even me.
In this season I am in where I have just recently lost my job, it is so comforting to know that I can look to the mountain and thank the God who will always provide.
Amen! ❤️
Needed this today! Need to have complete faith
Convicted how I’ve made my children an idol in my heart. Wow, Abraham’s faithfulness, it’s beautiful! I veered the opposite way of my own upbringing and now to learn how to surrender my need for righting the wrongs of my childhood in my own children. For this is fear driven and not faith. My children are the Lords and thankfully so for I need His guiding in leading them to Him. I love how the word teaches us how to love, beyond our human understanding. I like probably some of you was raised in the absence of love and I need help. Praise Jesus for His saving love!
Good morning, She’s! Such rich comments this morning – thank you all for sharing your hearts! I, too, have wondered about Sarah’s response, but I love that we know from scripture that she was a woman of deep faith. I believe that she would have (as Hebrews states) believed God and (like Abraham) it was counted to her as righteousness. There was some speculation in a comment earlier about Abraham and Sarah and Isaac living separately, but remember that they were a nomadic people, so having different locations mentioned at different times likely just means that they had (literally) moved their flocks to greener pastures between the narratives, rather than due to strained marital or parental relations. Love learning and growing with you all!
What a beautiful lesson of God’s provision. Once it all comes down to our trust in God to provide whatever we need. I will testify that God has always met me and my needs. He has never failed me. Even in my darkest hours when all seemed hopeless, He showed up! He was faithful v
God will always provide ❤️
ADRIENNE – Praying for your heart! Your Bella was trying to protect you, bless her! Let us know if you have any news. ❤
SEARCHING – I love that verse too – memorized it a few years ago – and shared it one day last week, I think? Like minds, again ☺
Theses lyrics are from “God Wiil Provide a Lamb.”. This album has so many songs that blessed my heart!
Three day’s journey to the sacred place
A boy and a man with a sorrowful face
Tortured, yet faithful to God’s command
To take the life of his son in his own hands
God will provide a lamb
To be offered up in your place
A sacrifice so spotless and clean
To take all your sin away
There’s wood and fire, where’s the sacrifice
The questioning voice and the innocent eyes
Is the son of laughter who you’ve waited for
To die like a lamb to please the Lord
God will provide a lamb
To be offered up in your place
A sacrifice so spotless and clean
To take all your sin away
A gleaming knife, an accepted choice
A rush of wind and an angel’s voice
A ram in the thicket caught by his horns
And a new age of trusting the Lord was born
‘Cause God has provided a lamb
He was offered up in your place
What Abraham was asked to do, He’s done
He’s offered His only son”
Thank You, Father for providing our every need, especially our Dear Savior, Your one and ONLY precious Son.
So much stood out in todays reading 1) Abraham told his mean to “stay here”- I imagine they were thinking the very thing Issac said “where is the sacrifice”? And Jesus told His disciples to “Sit here (stay awake) and pray”. The disciples didn’t know the weight of what was about to happen. 2) “Here I am” what a gentle calling from our fathers. That reassurance of I am always a call away – steady by your side. The last “Here I am” is Abraham calling to the Angel reminding me that God does talk back and we must be close enough and awake enough to hear the call! Lord you have provided for my every need – even when I didn’t know what I needed. Thank you for this constant provision. I look forward to with anticipation for what you are planning in my future and pray whatever it may be I stay anchored to you with a loud “Here I am”. Amen Happy Thursday She’s!
What beautiful and heart-tugging testimonies you sisters have shared! God bless you as you trust in Him and honor Him through your pain, confusion, or grief.
Adding my amen to the prayers spoken here for specific people. Praying for each need on every heart.
TERESA DONLEY – Praying in agreement with you and I certainly understand your trepidation!
SISTER SHES – I have a request for my son’s co-worker. She is hoping to bring her mom home to spend her last days – apparently not much time – and she needs to find a caregiver asap. She and her husband work the same hours. They would need someone who could be there at 4:30 in the mornings (that is the tricky part). Please pray for provision and for her heart in the days ahead. Thanks so much!
I meant to mention, as it did to the many of you, “on the third day” stood out and right away my thoughts went to the Resurrection. I don’t know (or at least I don’t remember) how I haven’t noticed this before, but so GLAD I did today.
Wow, good morning! Such powerful testimonies from you all this morning! I know God is our provider and provision, but yet, it is so hard to trust in that promise! Things seem so overwhelming and challenging, or down right earth shattering and we ask, how can God possible provide? How can this be made right? For you that have lost your precious children, I just can’t fathom how unfair it feels, especially reading the story of Issac being saved or spared. That probably makes you wonder why my child wasn’t spared?? The hurt and pain. BUT GOD, he does make a way for you to get through it, and the big thing, it is not over or the end! Because of Jesus, we get to see them in heaven, we are only separated for a short time. That is amazing, that instead of death, we have the hope and the knowing that we will see them again! That doesn’t make the hurt stop, but it does help. And we can turn the pain into other ways to help those going through it.
Traci- Always thinking of you!
Teresa- praying
Kim..I love that you have a home to help others, Elijah’s house.
GrammsieSue- I didn’t realize Steve is still in the hospital! I am praying this is resolved, and praying for you as your life has been so upended in the last couple of years. I know it’s so hard when someone is in the hospital and you want to stay there yet need to do other things as well…I pray you have some friends helping you!
Tina- thank you for your story, I felt somewhat the same. After being told I was told, after only year and half into a new marriage, that he didn’t love me, and thinks he needs to separate I was dumbfounded. I had left my home and moved to his state, so had no friends or family and our son was only 1 1/2 in our new, nice beautiful home we just had built. My life was all I had dreamed, and shattered quickly. There would be no way I could stay in that house. But God…He provided. It’s crazy how you look back and see it but felt so hard at the time. And of course in my loss that is when I finally looked up and clinged to Jesus, and knew I couldn’t do it without Him! So if any of you she’s are in that place, and have no idea how your situation could possibly work out, just keep with Jesus and look to Him and know in His timing.
v32……How will He not also with him grant us everything? I look the mountain knowing that my Faithful God will provide, as always. It may not look like I see, but I remind myself His Way is ALWAYS the BEST way. Good morning sweet, sweet She’s and Happy Thursday! Thank you, Erin Davis for a great devotion this morning!
My God is more than enough
He can supply all my needs
He is my El Shaddai
He always looks out for me
Jehovah Jireh, He is my God
More than enough (song) by Gary Oliver…Definitely a good worship and faith building song. My God has always provided our needs, He takes care of us
And when we don’t know how things will work out, we can still know who will provide a way for us, just as Romans says.
He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?
—Romans 8:32
Amen! I know WHO will provide, that’s all I need in order to trust.
We are in a season of waiting for a job for my husband. It is a risky move to this new job situation, but my husband feels very confident that this is where God wants him next. I have had to trust my husband, because I have not felt that same confidence. But I trust my husband…to an extent…. He has led our family well and has followed God with his whole heart all of his Christian life. He pivoted from joining the Army to going to college to study the Bible because he felt God calling him to do so. He studied in Israel as an undergrad and then later, after we married, we moved there ourselves, all because he felt God calling him to do it. We moved our young family to Africa as missionaries, leaving very good jobs and a new house, because he felt God’s calling. All of this to say, I do trust my husband’s judgement…to an extent. He is still human. He is still flawed. So it has been a bit of a back and forth for me. But today, as in many other days, I am reminded that ultimately, I trust GOD. God is not flawed, God is not human, God knows what is best for us and loves us better than anyone. So even if my husband does have it wrong, we will still be okay. God will still provide. Our hearts are still in the right place, wanting to follow Him always. Give me the faith to believe this with all of my heart, dearest Lord, creator of everything. Amen.
“The third day” jumped out at me – I immediately thought of the resurrection on the third day. What also jumped out at me was the phrase “Abraham looked up”, it’s used twice in this chapter (Genesis 22:4; Genesis 22:13). It makes me think that as we go through our difficult and sometimes unbearable circumstances – it is when we “look up” to God our Father, that we find the strength and courage to continue on. He’s there, He waits, He will provide. Forever grateful for all God’s provisions and for always being present. He sees us through the hottest fires and the deepest waters – all glory to Him!
@Tina – your story brought tears. Thank you for sharing, I’m sure God will use your words to help others as they go through similar experiences. ❤️
@Marya Kat – my heart hurts for you. May God give you peace and hope this Christmas. Much prayers for you and your family. ❤️
@Cara P – ❤️
@Kimmee Auxier – ❤️
@Maria Baer – Thank you for sharing your story of provision. ❤️
Aimee D – prayers for your mom and that the results will bring good news.
@Arienne – this was not your fault, how could you have known how your dog would react. Prayers that God will give you peace about it. ❤️
Blessings my dear sisters. Have a wonderful day in the Lord.
Amazing today! Look to the mountain and God will provide!!✨
@ KIMMEE AUXIER ❤️ that’s beautiful! May God reward you and bless Moriah Hills.
Such beautiful stories re: God’s provision (e.g. @ MARIA BAER and @ TINA had me in tears)
@ MARYA, I’m praying for you, and @ CARA and all those who have experienced similar loss to give you a special blessing this Christmas.
@ Oh ADRIENNE, I hate those situations when I wish I had a giant “Undo” arrow to press….but, I really don’t think this one is on you!! I pray for peace in that beautiful heart of yours.
On Covenant Thursday each year, we revisit all the elements of Isaac’s story that point to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Saviour…so beautiful. Thank you my sweet Jesus.
What a beautiful share this a.m., TINA. Thank you.
And thank you, Erin, for pointing out the third day… I had never noticed that before. It just goes to show that certain readings can be so familiar, yet we can miss something pretty darn huge!
I had always noticed that Isaac carried the wood, just as Jesus carried the cross. And I had noticed the connection between the ram caught in the thicket by his horns and my Jesus’ (MARI!) crown of thorns (CEE GEE and SEARCHING!), but the third day got me!
He always provides for His children, sweet She’s. Always remember His provision. (And I’m talking to myself too, you know… always in my posts!❤️)
We named our property Moriah Hills because of this story. We watched our son enter Heaven in 2017, nine days before his 17th birthday. We now have a non profit to help pediatric families who can’t get into a Ronald McDonald House. Elijahs Heart House sits on Moriah Hills. I prayed fervently that God would heal him here in earth. He provided in a different way. He is sovereign and I know one day I will see Elijah but in the meantime, I watch him provide here on earth.
♥️
I need prayers for peace today, sweet sisters. This isn’t as terrible as the first posts I re as this morning, but this still hurts… This is a long one…
There is a little lost doggy that was wandering around here for over a week. (We know he was just lost b/c he had a harness and was quite skinny… not dumped like our last dog.) Anyways, our dog, Bella. is very sweet, unless you are a coyote, a coon or a buck, then she lets you have it. (This dog’s coloring and size made it LOOK like a coyote.) Anyways, Bella discovered lost doggy b/c she chased after my car. (I was going to take lost doggy some food and try to bring it home.) If she didn’t kill it, she hurt it pretty bad. It was brutal to watch, and I am not good under pressure! I walked all over trying to find it… nothing! The good news is that there were no buzzards circling around. So I hope it’s just scrappy and ran away. (I couldn’t call Bella off by yelling or honking the car horn. When I went back with the gun, both dogs were gone. (I was going to have to shoot the dog if Bella hadn’t killed it.) But I feel terrible b/c it is my fault. I shoulda put our dogs in the basement before I went down the road. I want a “do-over”!
Marya, I’m sorry for your loss. I’m a member of that same club unfortunately. We too lost our 28-year old daughter in August 2019 to the hands of someone else. I’m always here if you want to talk about it or just vent.
Me, too. My 19 year old son was murdered in 2005. I’m so sorry for you.
Wow. Just wow. Abraham was a man of faith indeed. In this passage I have written in the margin of my Bible “The greater the call, the greater the testing” . Thank you, God for helping Abraham to obey you and trust you. May we do the same and see how you provide!
Amen! God has faithfully provided many times in my life. When my son needed surgery at 13 months and the surgeon we felt God lead us to was out of network, insurance agreed to cover nearly 100%. When I was desperate to change jobs, God lead me to my current job where I’ve been 9 years and absolutely love what I do. God provides, even when we don’t see a way out in the moments of desperation.
Wendy- my Bible study went through Genesis several years ago. We talked about the relationships between Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac after this incident. It was pointed out that Abraham lived in Beer-sheba (22:19), but Sarah lived in Kiriath-arba when she dies (23:1), suggesting they were living separately and possibly had a strained relationship. Isaac lived in the Negeb (24:62), also not near his parents.
There was a movie that came out in theaters in 2023 called “His Only Son” that is about Abraham’s journey to sacrifice Isaac. It was good! I believe it may now be streaming on Prime or Angel and some other platforms. Worth watching!
I just had to mention that some scholars believe that Mt. Moriah, where Abraham and Isaac went for the sacrifice and Golgatha, where Jesus was crucified MIGHT be the same place. What a beautiful prophesy when Abraham names the mountain–even if it isn’t the same place, but EVEN MORE so if it was the same place our Saviour would provide! Praise Jesus ❤️
TERESA DONLEY- praying for your appointment and hope you will keep us posted on what we can pray for/what you need.
DEANNA RASCH- so glad you have felt Gods presence in this study; praying for your heart to keep finding Him and furthering His love towards your son/new baby… and praying for a healthy delivery!! I’m sure the mom must have a million uncertainties in all of this as well, to be so young and have such a huge life event occurring so soon… I know God will lead your heart in how you can love and lead His goodness into their situation!! He’s got this ❤️
At church last night a friend told me about a song
All God’s promises are yes and amen in Jesus! Praise Him!
Thank you, God, for ALWAYS making a way for us. You always provide!
“Where Isaac saw lack, Abraham spoke in faith.”
Yes and amen. May we be a people who speak faith and live faithfully. ♥️
Wendy, I was just thinking this. How was his relationship after this with his father? And did he tell Sarah? And how did Sarah react? Again, thinking about this through my lens, but I always think about this when I read this story.
Me too! The mysterious nature of the Bible (especially the OT) always leaves me wanting more details!
Looking back and now, Hod has always been a great provider for my family, in various ways and through many people, His hand has been on in. I always remember when I was about 10 yrs old, I didn’t realize it at the time, but we did not have food in our house and my parents were worried. I was not aware of it because my parents made sure we were not troubled by adult issues, and my dad would work any job to provide, regardless of how humble and small the job was. The next day I came in with a letter for my parents. And inside was a $500 check from my public school (I grew up in Puerto Rico). It was a scholarship that I got for my good grades, that the government was giving to students with high GPAs in schools in low income areas, to provide for food and school supplies. To this day I tear up because of the tears of relief, joy and gratefulness from my parents. I didn’t understand why at the time, but years later they told me why. My momma has always been faithful to God and this is one of many examples of his constant provision in our lives. But it is one that is seared in my mind.
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This story always makes me feel for Abraham’s son. How scares and alone he must have felt. How did he ever forgive or trust his father? I know and believe God provides. I just done recall the boy’s reaction or more about the boy afterwards. But i could be missing the entire point too.
I struggle with this vantage point as well
Considering Abraham as a Faith father, I imagine Isaac say Abraham’s tremendous faith modeled leading up to these events and the faithfulness of God as well. Therefore I imagine Isaac grew up having a similar faith knowing God would provide in some way, even when it didn’t make sense. Remember, Isaac wasn’t a small child at this point, but probably late pre-teen/early teenager, so already had a good idea of the world around him. If trust of his father (Abraham) was an issue, I can’t imagine Isaac’s own faith would have been big enough to carry on the faith legacy, that eventually gave us Jesus.
Things that came to mind this morning –
The connection between Abraham’s third day and Christ’s third day, thickets and thorns (CEE GEE ❤️), Abraham paying attention to God’s voice and provision, Isaac’s trust and faith in his earthly father and God.
CEE GEE – yes, always completion! Reminded of Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Praying for:
MERCY – Mikayla’s healing, relief from pain and healing of your corneal abrasion
TERESA DONLEY – your appointment today, accurate results, wisdom in decisions. Very thankful your appointment is sooner
LAURA DIANNE and others – praying for the wayward
HEIDI – salvation for your friend’s mom. Thank you for sharing journal idea
GRAMSIESUE- Steve’s healing and peace/patience in the waiting. ❤️
RHONDA J – jail ministry. Great idea to incorporate Advent
AIMEE D-R – mom’s healing
MARYA KAT – so very sorry about your loss. Praying for the Lord’s comfort and strength in this first Christmas after losing your daughter.
TINA ❤️ – thank you for sharing your heart! I’ve said this before… write the book :)
Every single day of this study has been bread and water for my spirit. I’m slowly coming to terms with my son becoming a father next month at 18, clinging to God’s faithful promise that He will help us through this – as He has with everything we have faced in life. Praying for the right words and actions to be loving and supportive to this new family that’s part of our family now.
MARYA KAT, I am so very sorry for your loss. So very sorry. Will hold you and yours up in prayer as you navigate life without your daughter. God is good, though some days it may not seem so, when the pain is so bad, your heart feels like it will explode, He is closer than ever, and He walks with you through it.. hold fast to the Faithful One.. He is near, to the broken hearted.. always loving, always comforting..
Sending you hugs wrapped in prayers ❤️
Whenever us kids would whine about not having new clothes for school, or we started fretting about HOW it was all going to work out, my mom would retell the story of God’s provision her dad used to tell her, ending with an intoning of “God will provide.” And sometimes we would laugh if she used a dramatic voice, and sometimes we rolled our eyes at the worn-soft words, and sometimes we railed and huffed and secretly felt like we could do a better (and faster) job than God could. But He always came through.
TINA – thank you for sharing your story
MARYA KAT – praying for you in this time of grief. We lost my nephew a couple years ago and that first Christmas was so hard. I learned that whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay. Sadness, hope, joy or sorrow, it’s all valid regardless of what the person next to you is feeling in that moment.
Isaac carried his “cross” (the wood) to the place of sacrifice. The father carried the fire (God’s wrath). Yet this son was spared the shedding of his blood. It is a powerful reminder that only Jesus’ blood would be the perfect sacrifice. And it continues to flow to cover all who surrender to its cleansing.
TINA – beautiful❣️
MARYA KAT – so sorry for the loss of your daughter. Praying for your family as you grieve through the holidays.
TERESA DONLEY – God be with you today at your appointment ❤️
MERCY – praying for Mikayla and her family
LELIA PETSCH – may God comfort you in your struggle with PTSD
Father God thank You for always providing. As I sit in tears with my Mom in the hospital waiting for tests and results reward my faith and forgive my doubt. Please provide all that we need, please provide healing, please provide peace. In Jesus name, Amen
Aimee – Holding your hand and praying with you.
Aimee D-R, I am praying for you and your mom right now. Lord, cover them in your peace, give them deep assurance of your love and care, and please give wisdom. Amen
God does not always provide in the way I hope, but He always, ALWAYS holds my hand when I go through difficult times.
What a lovely testimony Tina. Thank you for sharing. We are at a crossroads after losing our 24 yo daughter suddenly in September. The way is dark but thankfully we have the light to guide us through. No matter what, we can trust in His provision.
Oh, Marya, keeping you in prayer.
Marya Kat I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and everyone who was close. May she Rest In Peace. I will be praying for you and your family.
I have walked with God for almost 70 years and He has always provided!!! Blessed is the name of LORD who always provides!!!!
When my husband left us for another, my world was shattered even more, as not 18 months prior, we had buried our girl.
I worried a lot about where the children and I would live, as my expectations were that he would want to sell the house so he can move forward with his new girlfriend.
This worry went on for 10 years.. and each day I would gingerly go to the doorstep fearful there would be a letter from the solicitors with instructions to sell the house..
That letter arrived one Saturday morning, the solicitors address in the corner from the town he had moved to, my heart hurt, I cried as I called our son to say the letter had arrived and could he come round because I didn’t think I could open it on my own..
BUT GOD..
This house had been our happy family home, where our children had been happy, where we began our new start, some 2o years prior.
It was the house, that the hill on which our girl was buried, overlooked.
My sons response was, “Madre, open it, I’m here, it will be okay..”
How could it be okay, if I am being instructed to sell the home my family was whole and present.
I opened the envelope, there was my exes name, then mine.
The instructions were not to sell but the house had been fully paid for and was being signed over to me… tears roll as I remember asking my son what is this saying, I didn’t understand.
“Dad, is giving you the house, Madre, it’s yours, you never have to worry about a roof over your head or moving away from Julee.. ” The tears, oh the tears at this provision this great and wonderful provision…
GOD, BUT GOD…
The Generous Provider.. I have been in awe and Thanksgiving every day since that day..
I have given keys to a few people who needed a space, ranging from a troublesome home life for my friends, or a friend of my sons who just needed somewhere to go during his breaks at school, to a young lady, who needed a space to process life.. not to mention small group where we meet to talk about our Father God.
BUT GOD..
FOREVER THANKFUL TO OUR FATHER GOD.
Thank you Lord God, for this blessing that has and continues to bless not just myself, but others..
Thank you Lord God..
AMEN.
May you, dear sisters, see His generous provision in the little and the big.. for He is truly faithful.. always..
Hugs wrapped in love, hugs and continued prayers for all ..❤️
What a testimony, Tina! We never know how He will care for our needs, but He always does. We never
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