When his beloved son Isaac asked him where the lamb was for the sacrifice, Abraham spoke in faith: “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering” (Gen 22:8)
When God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham responded with immediate obedience. The Bible says that he
…rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his
young men with him and Isaac his son…and went to the place of which
God had told him (Gen 22:3).
Even though Abraham didn’t hesitate, I’m sure he had deep turmoil of soul. When his beloved son Isaac asked him where the lamb was for the sacrifice, Abraham spoke in faith:
“My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering” (Gen 22:8). As we know, God did provide a ram in the thicket, and Abraham named the place of God’s provision “Jehovah Jireh, The-Lord-Will-Provide.”
I have my own story about Jehovah Jireh and livestock. Early in our marriage, Jon and I had some financial tests, and the Lord would always require us to put His tithe first. As we gave in faith, we praised Jehovah Jireh, knowing God would meet all our needs. One particular month when the rent was due in a couple of days, and our bank account did not contain enough money to pay the bill, God did what I call a “nifty”. I went down to my parents’ house to do some laundry, and my dad handed me a check for more than the amount needed for rent.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“We sold your last cow, and that’s what we got for her.”
Back several years before, my grandfather had given me a cow, and al of her offspring were mine. Those cows ate grass and hay from my dad’s farm, and I simply reaped the benefits when they were sold. I didn’t know I even had any cows left when my dad gave me the check. It came at the exact time that we needed it. I saw it as a tithing miracle.
Back before Christmas this past year, I had a few days in which I let myself become somewhat stressed about my lack of time. During my devotions one morning, the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit to tithe my time and my thoughts. I know He wanted me to put God first and spend quality time with Him in the mornings and then put my ministry obligations before other things. Iw as reminded of a Scripture verse:
Bring all the tithes…try Me now in this…If I will not open for you
the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it (Mal. 3:10)
As I gave the Lord my best time in the morning and kept my mind on Him throughout the day, miracles started to happening. Buying gifts, baking, making plans--everything went smoothly. God was proving Himself to me yet again through tithing miracles.
In this time of economic uncertainty, God wants His people to test Him and let Him prove He is a sure thing.
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