"On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided." Genesis 22:14
We are in a season of waiting on the Lord in a few areas of life, specifically asking for His provision. We are praying, asking for wisdom, and reminding ourselves that we serve a God who holds all things in His hands.
And yet, He is reminding me that I have a part to play, too. I am called to pray, yes, but also to participate - to take steps forward in obedience even if the destination isn’t clear, the outcomes are unknown, and sacrifices are required.
I am realizing that we may have to do hard things before we see His provision - that we may have to persevere and muster up energy we didn’t foresee exerting as we climb the mountain before us. And this is not because God is withholding from us, but because He is calling us to greater trust, beckoning us to take a step out of the boat. He is not withholding but rather with us, holding us, growing and molding us.
And really, if anyone is withholding anything it is us - withholding our trust, our resources, or hearts, our hands. Constantly grasping and trying to figure things out on our own rather than surrendering freely to the Father.
And so we will continue to wait, but also to participate. To observe what God is doing but also to be obedient in what He is asking of us. Like Abraham climbing the mountain with his son - his only son, God’s promised son - the wood on his back, the tears streaming and throat catching and hands trembling. For us Mamas, the sacrifice asked of him was unthinkable, and yet Abraham trusted. He put one step in front of the other. And he saw God’s timely provision in exactly the form that was needed - a ram caught in the thicket. The ultimate relief and rejoicing.
And then, there was blessing - abundance even above and beyond God’s perfect provision: “'I swear by myself', declares the LORD, 'that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky…through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me'" (Genesis 22:16-17)
We see in Abraham’s story the ultimate outcome of obedience: blessing. His obedience impacted not only his own life but the lives of many to come - generations who would be fruitful and multiply and praise the Lord. Obedience yields provision, but even beyond that, favor and blessing and richness that we could not ask for or imagine (and I'm not necessarily talking wealth, although God can bless in that form if He so desires....no prosperity gospel here, folks. I'm thinking more like joy and peace and intimacy with the Father that comes only as we obey and seek His face).
So here we stand, waiting and praying on the bottom of the mountain. Asking ourselves if we are withholding anything from God and wondering in what form His provision will arrive. Trusting that in our obedience and surrender, there will be blessing and abundance to come.
May we take this same posture in our motherhood: surrendering all things to the Lord (even our children!!!) and trusting that the Lord is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. I trust that we will see His blessing as we trust and obey.
“Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
(John H. Sammis, “Trust and Obey”)
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