Genesis 22:14 — And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah–jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

As Myra drove me from the optician’s to our church early this evening I was wondering what today’s devotion would be about. It was a beautiful time, just before sunset, and I was struck, once again, by the knowledge of God’s provision.
A famous politician said, a little while ago, “look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own… If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. If you’ve got a business—you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.” He came in for some pretty fierce criticism but, you know, he wasn’t completely wrong. We all owe everything we have to somebody else.
There is nothing that I have, nothing that I have done that does not depend entirely on God’s provision. Nothing that could be achieved without the materials, time, opportunities and talents that God provided.
Pastor reminded us of this passage in scripture in his message tonight. God told Abraham to take Isaac up Mount Moriah and sacrifice him. Abraham duly obeyed, but at the last moment the Lord steps in and provides a ram for the sacrifice. Abraham called the name of that place “Jehovah-Jireh”, “The Lord will provide.”
The provision of the ram for the sacrifice was a picture showing just how far God was prepared to go in providing for us. The time would come when he would provide the perfect lamb — His Son — for our salvation from sin.
There are times when I forget. I forget just how much I owe to God. That’s everything. In his book “The Great Doctrines Of The Bible” Martyn Lloyd-Jones lists ten aspects of God’s provision — providence.
First, God’s providence controls the universe.
Second, God’s providence controls the physical world.
Third, God’s providence controls the creatures of the land, the sea, and the air.
Fourth, God exercises His providence over the affairs of nations.
Fifth, God’s providence governs the birth of men.
Sixth, God’s providence dictates the success or failure of men’s endeavors,
Seventh, God’s providence governs even those events and circumstances that seem most trivial.
Eighth, God’s providence protects the righteous.
Ninth, God’s providence provides for the needs of his people.
Tenth, and last, as Lloyd-Jones writes, “you will find that every single answer to prayer which is in the Scriptures is just a statement that God providentially orders things in this way for His people.”
God’s provision is comprehensive, inclusive and absolute. By grace He provides every last thing that we need — salvation, sustenance, support and sanctification. All we have needed, His hands have provided. I’ll try not to forget!