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Jehovah Jireh Is Your Provider — Week 3
By Teresa Norman, Associate Pastor and Pastor of Women’s Ministries,
Mt. Olive Church of God, Cleveland, TN
Scripture: You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13).
Since my early adult life, I have been on a journey to grow closer to God. Depending on my circumstances, my pursuit of Him was so strategic that I would call on the name that adequately described Him. If I needed healing for my children or myself, I would call on the name of Jehovah Rapha, my healer. When I faced uncertain situations, I took confidence in knowing that El Elyon was more powerful than my greatest difficulty and El Shaddai made His power available to me to make it through the most obstinate of days. Raising two children as a single mother, I grew constantly dependent on Jehovah Jireh, my provider. My life is living proof that “God will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). A panoramic view of my life reveals His constant love, care and provision for my children and me. My gratitude toward His faithfulness challenges me to search out ways to be the hands of Christ.
One evening, I was preparing to leave for a weekend speaking engagement in South Georgia. As I was placing my clothing in my luggage, I heard the Lord speaking to my spirit, “Pack your new blue suit; you are going to give it to someone.” I knew exactly the suit He was referring to. I had bought the suit in Chicago and just loved it. Of course, the suit was too small for me, but it was on sale! I had confidence that I would lose the extra weight and fit into it soon. You know the story! However, I was obedient to the voice and packed the suit.
As the Thursday evening service started, I searched the audience for the woman who would be the recipient of the suit. I continued to search on Friday morning, Friday evening, and Saturday evening, without success. I started questioning God and myself. Did I hear the voice of God or not? I confessed my humanness and admitted my apparent error discerning His voice. The last service was Sunday morning. At the conclusion of the service, I was saying my goodbyes, when an attendee of the conference introduced me to her sister-in-law. As I reached out to embrace her with a hug, the same voice I had heard speak to my spirit three days earlier spoke again and said, “This is the woman; give her the suit.” As we embraced, I told her I had a suit for her in my car. She was startled and within seconds was crying uncontrollably. As we made our way to my car, she shared some of the circumstances that had affected her life over the past few months. She and her husband had lost their jobs, their home, and their cars due to legal problems with their adult children. She shared how her faith in God had been wavering and she had been praying for Jehovah Jireh to demonstrate His presence in her life and circumstances. That Sunday morning, Jehovah Jireh met a need and affirmed His love and presence in a wounded heart and heightened my perception and sensitivity to the voice of God.
Is it possible that Jehovah Jireh will use us to meet the needs of others? Are we to look for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ? We know God can rain down manna from heaven; He has done it before, but wouldn’t it be more pleasing to God to know that a believer baked a loaf of bread and shared it with her neighbor? I challenge you to look for ways to reach out to a lonely and hurting world that needs to see Christ. Their provision could be resting in your hands.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to listen today to Your voice so that I may be Your hand extended to someone who perhaps is asking this day for You to show Your presence in their life. I praise You for Your love and provision. May my life bring You glory today. Amen.
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