LifeLink Devotional

Monday, March 18, 2019

There is one more significant lesson from the story of Abraham’s testing by God on Mount Moriah that touches me deep in my spirit. It comes from the name Abraham gives to the place of testing.

Genesis 22:13-14 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. 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.”

By faith Abraham declared that God would provide Himself a lamb for the sacrifice. He then named that place THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. Abraham’s faith allowed him to look beyond the possible loss of a son to the sacrifice of God’s Son. He knew that God would see to it. So complete was Abraham’s faith that he named the place Jehovah-Jireh, which means The LORD will provide.

The Hebrew word for “provide” in this passage is the word that primarily means “see”. We can translate the verse to mean “God will see to it that there is a lamb.”

God provided a lamb as a substitute for Isaac, and He has provided a Lamb as a substitute for all of us. Think of the wonder of our salvation: God has seen to it that there is a Lamb for the sacrifice for sin. John the Baptist said about Jesus Christ – “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” God has provided a Lamb. Not only that, but He provided Himself as the Lamb. God incarnate in human flesh became the sacrificial Lamb. He has provided for our salvation. He has done it!

On that very same mountain where Abraham made his declaration of faith, the Holy of Holies in the temple was exposed to all the people when the curtain was torn at the death of Jesus Christ our Savior. God has seen to it that we have a way out of the bondage and consequences of sin. God has seen to it that we have a way into the eternal covenant of life and blessing. God has seen to it that one Gate provides for both the way out and the way in, and that Gate is His Son Jesus.

I am overwhelmed with this. It may sound simple to many, but it is deeply profound. God has provided for our salvation. Can there be any greater truth? Can there be anything more beautiful? We may be emotionally moved in our spirit by the majesty of God’s creation when we view an incredible vista from a mountaintop, but is there any mountain more deeply moving than the one upon which God provided for our salvation? Is there any human experience that can compare with the splendor of the experience of God’s forgiveness? I say a loud and emphatic “NO!”

May the LORD’s provision for our salvation never become simple or unmoving. May our desire for more knowledge of God and His Word never compromise the thrill of God’s grace and mercy. May our desire to serve and work never diminish the joy of our salvation.

If you have time, read the following Psalm, and spend some time praising Jehovah-Jireh. He has provided for our redemption.

Psalm 111

Praise the LORD.

I will extol the LORD with all my heart

in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,

and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wonders to be remembered;

the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works,

giving them the lands of other nations.

The works of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy.

They are steadfast for ever and ever,

done in faithfulness and uprightness.

He provided redemption for his people;

he ordained his covenant forever-

holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

To him belongs eternal praise.