Provision

Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.

Genesis 21:33 (NLT)

The passage just before Abraham’s dramatic sacrifice of his only son Isaac shows the faithful provision of God in Abraham’s life. Planting a tree indicates a steady flow of water, meaning provision and security in the land in which he lived. The phrase implies a sense of arrival, restfulness, and enjoying the fruit of ones’ labor.

Abraham had experienced lots of provision and many blessings from God throughout his life, and he allowed those blessings to cultivate a deep friendship with God. Eventually when God asked him to sacrifice something so important to him, Abraham’s response was, “The LORD will provide,” (Genesis 22:8a, 14). God’s promises & provision of the past enabled Abraham to have resurrection faith for the future.

Consider yourself. Have you allowed God’s provision & blessings to cultivate a friendship with the Lord, or have those blessings been the ends of themselves?

Let’s re-prioritize our desires today, seeking not just God’s hand, but His heart.

In what ways has God provided for you?

Thank Him for now food, shelter, family, friendships, jobs, travel, and anything else that comes to mind. All these are from the Lord.

Consider a time when God came through significantly in the moment when you didn’t expect Him to.

What was your response then? What is your response now upon reflection?

Speak to the Lord about this.

Thank Him for His provision of the past. Remind yourself in prayer that a friendship with the Gift-Giver is so much greater than the gifts themselves.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 (NIV)