Jehovah Jireh Archives – Sonshine's Journal

January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

Genesis 28 “if…”

Jacob was a man who couched his obedience in the “if’s”. He did it with men and he did it with God. “If God is with me and protects me on this journey I am taking and gives me food to eat and clothing to wear, and I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will become my God.” Like many today, Jacob shows us that men’s belief and dependence on God depends on His presence and provision with conditions they set up. How often do we also present conditions to God? We use manipulation to get what we want without considering the cost.

Today, take a page out of Jacob’s diary and see that God wants obedience before He blesses and Jacob will learn that very soon. The deceiver will become deceived and it happens to us as well. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that we are to trust in the Lord and he will make our paths straight. But Jacob has to learn that truth and it will be through hardship.

Learn from Jacob. Put God first unconditionally and then He will bless.

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025

Genesis 22 It takes Faith…

Hebrews reminds us that by faith Abraham obeyed God in leaving his home and by waiting on God for a son to be born as one born out of due time. Yet, even though Abraham obeyed God, he was tested by God to prove his faithfulness. We too are tested by God to prove our faithfulness and our steadfastness. Abraham was found faithful and God recognized it and counted him as righteous.

As we look at our lives, we can experience tests just as Abraham and like his son Isaac, we see the wood and the fire but where is the lamb? Abraham wisely answered that God Himself would provide the lamb and He did. When you face a test and wonder where the lamb is, will you stop and believe without a shadow of doubt that God will provide?

Over and over through the OT and NT we see Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. He provided the east wind to draw the Nile back so the Israelites could walk across on dry ground. He provided water for Rahab in the desert. He provided the walls to fill down in Jericho so the city could be conquered. In Acts, God provided two angelic visitors to release Peter from prison.

Where have you seen God’s provision in your life? What was the result?

February 17, 2024February 17, 2024

Angelic Work

Acts 12 King Herod was ruthless and cruel. He pursued the Christians and put the leader, Peter in jail. Herod thought he was in control but God will have the last hurrah by sending an angel to release Peter from Herod’s control. Unbelievers are so blind.

As with Judas, and the rich man in Luke 16, Herod has the knowledge of God but has rejected it. He is blind to the gospel message and takes the glory that is meant for God and attributes it to himself. We are reminded of this truth: “God will not be mocked.” [Gal 6:7] Because “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2 Cor 4:4]

The positive side of this story is this truth: “if God is for us, who can be against us.” [Rom 8:31] God revealed His power, His providential care for Peter and He will do the same for us.

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022

God is our Provider

1Kings 17-19 Jehovah Jireh

Like many, people grumble when their comfort zone has been disrupted— even about God. We live in an instant gratification society and we want the problem fixed. Enter the prophet Elijah to remind us that God doesn’t work on our timetable because He is the God of creativity and nothing is too hard for God, for He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

God’s ways are not our ways. [Is. 55:9] Who would ever have thought that God would/could use ravens who are scavengers, not providers to bring Elijah food day after day while he waits on God’s next assignment! Then God uses a desperate Gentile widow outside Israel to provide a meal when the cupboard was bare! To add to that, her son dies while Elijah is living with them! At this point, Elijah may have returned to his depression, but instead, he goes to God in prayer, and God revives the child. In the meantime, back in Israel, Obadiah has been busy snatching food from King Ahab’s kitchen for 100 prophets he has hidden, yet Elijah doesn’t know any of this. Sometimes God works in front of us and sometimes behind the scenes. Lastly, when Elijah was weary, He provided a replacement in Elisha! In all of that, He teaches Elijah, and us, that no problem is too hard for Him.

If God can use unclean ravens, a Gentile widow, an Obadiah, or an Elisha, will He not provide for our every need? Do we trust Him to take care of our essentials this day?

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

Jehovah Jireh…

Exodus 16-18 God Provides

One of God’s names is Jehovah Jireh–the God who provides no matter whether big or little, whether food or wisdom. As the Israelites leader, Moses had a mighty task not only had to lead them but guide them as God gave direction. Maybe you, too, have an enormous task just like Moses. You are overwhelmed and do not which way to turn. It is then that Isaiah’s counsel is wise: You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left,” Sometimes that word comes in the form of a prophecy “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” [1 Thess 5:20] Perhaps it might come in the counsel of one who is wise as Jethro to Moses. It may not be in an earthquake or a mighty wind, but the still small voice just like Elijah heard. God is listening to His children; He hears your cry. God provides what we need when we come to Him humbly.

Today you may be among the many who are seeking help. Remember to come humbly before God, and He will hear your cry and answer from heaven through avenues we may least suspect. Keep your eyes on Him and your ear open to hear His voice. “The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help!” [Ps 102:1]

January 19, 2021January 19, 2021

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Genesis 22 to 24 When you face a test of your faith and find yourself wavering, return to the story of Abraham. God in His providence tested Abraham’s faith over and over, yet he failed—how like us! Finally, God gave Abraham the hardest test ever; go and sacrifice your only son as a burnt offering on Mt. Moriah—a three-day journey from where he was. We do not see Abraham questioning nor asking for wisdom to understand the why’s. Abraham was not like the waves of the sea as they ebb and flow. [James 1:6] Instead, he was like Paul’s description: steadfast and immovable. [1Cor 15:58] After many failures, Abraham’s faith could trust in Jehovah Jireh (the God who provides), and thus “he was ready to offer up his only son.” [Heb 11:17]

As Abraham and Isaac and the servants traveled, we wonder what his thoughts were—but the scriptures are silent. Instead, Abraham faithfully went about his business as if today was not any different than yesterday. That is how God orchestrates our days; today will be much the same as yesterday and tomorrow. The only inkling Abraham had of what lay ahead was what he told Isaac: “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” [Gen 22:8]

Do we trust God in the hard and easy times as Abraham did?

He is a model for us in trusting God to provide all of our needs.

April 3, 2020

Jehovah Jireh Our Provider

1Kings 17-19 Today people are beginning to grumble because their comfort zone has been disrupted. They have lost their trust in government officials, others, and even the God of the Bible. They just want the problem fixed which is precisely what the wicked King Ahab wanted too. Yet God is God, and He will not share his glory with another. To teach the evil king and queen, God will use his faithful prophet Elijah to remind us that nothing is too hard for God. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

First, Elijah needs a place of refuge from the wicked king and queen. When the brook dries up, and the food is no more, God sends him to a widow outside the land. Here God tests Elijah with the death of the child. Will he trust God to raise a little boy from the dead? Will the widow learn that Elijah is God’s prophet? In the meantime, God provides a simple man named Obadiah to show weary Elijah the truth that no problem is too hard for God. Obadiah protected and provided a place of refuge for God’s prophets. Step by step, God provided for every need. And when Elijah was weary, He provided a replacement in Elisha to accompany him.

If He could use the unclean ravens or an unnamed widow or an Obadiah, will He not provide for our every need? Yet if God provided for Elijah, will He not do the same for us? Do you trust Him to take care of your essentials this day? “in God I trust, I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?” [Ps 56]