Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Genesis 22:14 ESV

When I began my teaching career, I received a provisional license. This occurred because––although I had enough college credits––I had not completed all the steps for licensure. I signed the contract with the understanding that I had two years to take and pass the state exam.

Because I repeatedly struggled with standardized tests, I was nervous about taking the exam. And so, I delayed the assessment for as long as possible.

Nearly two years passed and, the deadline looming, I paid the fee and signed up for the latest time to take the exam. Then I called every prayer warrior I knew and asked them to join me in praying for a passing score.

I wish I could say I had confidence like Abraham when the Lord told him to take his only son Isaac up the mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham didn’t hesitate to embark on the journey and declared: “God will provide” (Gen. 22:8a).

He simply believed he and Isaac would both return from the mountain top together––and they did.

Just when Abraham raised his arm to take the life of his only––and promised––son, Isaac, the Lord appeared and stopped him. Instead of requiring the life of Isaac, God provided a ram caught in a thicket as a substitute sacrifice.

That’s where the Lord first revealed Himself as Provider: “Abraham called the name of that place, ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided’” (Gen. 22:14).

The day of my scheduled exam, my car climbed another mountainside in North Carolina. All the way up, I whispered, “Father, give me what I need to pass this test. Help me have a steady heart and a clear mind. When I struggle with the answers, please give me clear direction.”

I walked into the test site, folded myself into the desk chair, and opened the exam form. I quickly perused the questions and placed a hand over my mouth to stifle a chuckle. For a moment, I was awestruck because every question had a discernible answer.

It was obvious because I had been practically working out the answers every day for the prior two years in my role as a classroom teacher. The Lord was working out His provision all along.

When I walked out of the exam center, I carried a paper in my hands with a four letter word typed across the top: pass. With a smile and tears of joy running down my face, I looked to heaven and thanked my Father for giving me exactly what I needed to complete the next steps in my career path.

Although I know it doesn’t always work out this way, I am certain that our Father can fulfill the needs in our lives. And it is His good pleasure to do so!

Friend, the same God who provided a lamb for Abraham in the nick of time promises to provide all our needs according to His will. Whether it is a physical, emotional, or spiritual need, our Great Provider can supply it. We have only to hold on to His promises and trust Him for provision. Will you do that today?

Pause:

Read Genesis 22:1-19; Jeremiah 32:17; Hebrew 11:17-19.

Ponder:

List ways God has unexpectedly provided for you in the past. Write out needs you seek His provision for now and ask Him to supply them.

Pray:

Dear Father, thank You for being my Great Provider. Help me trust You with every need I have, believing You can supply them. Fill me with peace as I trust You to bring it about according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.