Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. (Gen. 22:8)
Have you ever questioned something that was happening while you were experiencing that something—that nagging feeling in your head and stomach that says, “Something is missing” or “There is something wrong with this situation.” In our reading, we see Isaac questioning the whereabouts of the lamb for the burnt offering. Isaac was utterly unaware of what was potentially about to happen to him, but he knew enough to see something was missing.
Yet Abraham, in response to the question of Isaac, demonstrated the faith and trust that he had in God. Abraham told Isaac, “God himself will provide the lamb.” Abraham indicated that he believed with absolute confidence and trust that God was going to provide. In verse 8 we see repeated the theme of verse 5 that somehow, Abraham would return with Isaac. Abraham knew that God was going to do something unique and epic.
Abraham’s words to Isaac were not calming words to appease what might have appeared as a nervous Isaac. Abraham’s words were reflective of the confident expression of a man who believed in the power of God’s provision. Abraham trusted God would provide, because God had always provided for Abraham in the past.
When we live in the power of faith in God the provider, we can trust that God will meet our needs, even when it looks and feels like something is missing.
Decide today to believe that God will provide.
Chris Whetlor serves as spiritual formation pastor at Real Life Wesleyan Church in Mechanicsville, Maryland, and is completing a DMin in spiritual formation at Wesley Seminary.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
