From Praying the Names of God Week Five, Day Five
The Name
The Hebrew word raah (RA-ah, from which yireh is derived) means "to see." In this case, it is translated as "provide." Since God sees the future as well as the past and the present, he is able to anticipate and provide for what is needed. Interestingly the English word "provision" is made up of two Latin words that mean "to see beforehand." When you pray to Yahweh Yireh, you are praying to the God who sees the situation beforehand and is able to provide for your needs.
Key Scripture
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." (Genesis 22:13-14)
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Friday
PROMISES ASSOCIATED WITH GOD'S NAME
Scripture is full of the promises of God, and when we respond to him faithfully, nothing can prevent their fulfillment. That holds true regardless of circumstances. Think for a moment about Abraham's circumstances. God had promised his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. But how could that promise be fulfilled if the first star, the first grain of sand—if Isaac himself—were destroyed? Ironically, the promise was fulfilled precisely because Abraham was willing to act in a way that seemed contrary to its fulfillment. Had Abraham refused to obey God, he might well have forfeited the incredible blessings that followed.
True, the specific promises God made to Abraham do not apply to us in exactly the way they did to him. But the principle is the same. When it comes to the things God has promised us—wisdom, strength for our trials, a way out of temptation, and fullness of life—our obedience is key. No matter what the circumstances, we need to realize there is no limit to God's power to do what he says—if we believe and obey.
Promises in Scripture
For in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. (Deuteronomy 15:4-5)
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Continued Prayer and Praise
Reflect on God's provision for your life. (Matthew 6:28-30)
Pray for the grace to reflect God's generosity by generously providing for others. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
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Meet your spiritual ancestors as they really were: Less Than Perfect: Broken Men and Women of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them.
