who is my God

I've been really stuck on the story of Abraham and Isaac today, the idea that true faith must be proved by trails. The idea that maybe we have to meet God half way.

"He will see to our way, if we dare to walk in his way." -Pro. 3:5-6

There are different versions of the story of Abraham and Isaac. After an angel of the Lord comes in and stops Abraham from sacrificing his son (and gives him a ram in replacement), Abraham calls that place "The Lord Will Provide"

In another version he calls the place "Jehovah Jireh". And there are three meanings to that name.

It means "The Lord Will See". God will always see our need. And always meet it. Its just who he is. But at the same time we need to acknowledge our need for Him. No man will ever be saved until he is lost. No one will ever be clothed until he is stripped. No one will ever be filled until he is empty. Jesus comes only to those who need him. But he ALWAYS comes to those who need him. He will see our need. 

It also means "The Lord Will Provide". When God sees our need, his provision is sure. Thats what Abraham tells us by the name "Jehovah Jirah", the Lord will provide. It was Abraham's testimony to the goodness  and grace of God in providing a ram to take the place of his Son, Isaac. And in the same way it is the testimony of every person who sees Jesus as his substitute, his sacrifice.  Such a sacrifice could only be found in God himself. And he could find it only in himself. Since no-one else could provide a random for our souls, God provided it and said "Deliver them from going down to the darkness; I have found a random" -Job 33:24. He saw our need, and he provided.

Its 3rd meaning is "The Lord Will Be Seen". He was seen in sacrifice. He is seen in the gospel. He is seen as our Savior. He will be seen in our trails. In our greatest extremities; He will be seen. It says in Psalm 139 "Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the Heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me. " He will be seen with us, and we will be seen with Him.

Thats a whole lot of meaning in one name. Thats one story, in a Bible of 1000's of stories. And in that one small story, I've learnt 3 pretty massive things about my God.

He Will See.

He Will Provide.

He Will Be Seen.