In the New Testament is a story about Peter the Apostle. He is in jail, chained and being guarded by many guards. The authorities have the intention of executing him the next day. There is nothing more he can do.
Acts 12:6 – 10 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, ”Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, ”Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. ”Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realise it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
Peter was at a place where there was nothing more he could do. He was chained up with two chains, he was guarded by many guards, he was imprisoned and earmarked for death. It would soon be over and there was nothing more to be done except sleep. At this point of seemingly no return, God steps in and provides a remarkable and miraculous way out of the situation. Peter could never have envisioned this. In fact, while it was happening, he thought it was a vision – that is how unimaginable it was. Firstly there was a bright light, then an angel, then chains fell off his wrists and then he walked past all the guards and through a locked iron gate that opened up for him all by itself, and they walk away, free and unopposed. The Lord was Peter’s provider when there was nothing more that he could do. In the same way the Lord wants to be your provider when there is nothing more you can do. When you feel like you have reached the end of the road and there is nothing more you can do, you can still know and believe that He is your provider and He can make a way where there seems to be no way.
AT THE HEIGHT OF TRIAL AND SACRIFICE, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT HE IS YOUR PROVIDER.
Abraham had to see the process through. He had to take his son Isaac up Mount Moriah and build an altar and load the wood, tie up his son, place him on the altar, get out the knife and ready himself to sacrifice his son. This was the lowest and worst possible moment in all his life. Perhaps nothing made sense, and everything seemed hopeless and fruitless, up on this mountain alone. Sometimes we have to climb our own mountain, deal with our own issues and struggles and there alone with the hardest of challenges we have to come to peace with what God has told us to do and take that radical action that is required of us.
Genesis 22:14 ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’
It is in these deepest and darkest moments that we will discover the Provider and the provision. Only the Lord understands the depths of the trials you have faced and only He knows the sacrifices you have made and in all of it He loves and cares for you and wants to make a way for you. Even here, even now, the Lord will provide for you.
Genesis 22:13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
Trust Him and keep your eyes peeled, His escape route and His provision is not far away.
Genesis 22:14 Abraham called that place (Jehovah-Jireh) The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’
Conclusion:
Always remember that the Lord is your Jehovah-Jireh – your provider. His faithfulness in providing can be seen throughout the Bible and in our lives today. You may be facing insurmountable challenges or the darkest time of your life, but He remains faithful and provides. You may be facing imminent obstacles, and even in that you can expect the faithfulness of His presence and provision. You may be climbing the mountain of trial and sacrifice and you feel all alone – He is with you and His provision of deliverance is not far away. See HIM, in all His glory as your provider. Trust in His character and timing. Have faith and confidence that He will be with you on your mountain and believe that He will sustain you through your trials and challenges. Realise that He will walk with you, He will never fail you. He will make a way of escaping and He will provide for you.
Philippians 4:19 ‘And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’
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