Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 23)

During last Sunday’s sermon, we thought about the nature of the “look” that Jesus gave Peter in the moment of his denials. We wondered, when Jesus sees you in your hour of failure and need, what His countenance communicates about His heart toward you. Despite what the Accuser might tempt you to believe, God is not some sort of cosmic taxman, continually auditing behavior and collecting reparations for our every error. Quite the opposite, Scripture names Him Jehovah Jireh, meaning “YHWH sees [your need] and will provide.” Being “God our Provider,” He paid the debt that we alone owed but that He alone could supply. 

 

The name’s first appearance in Scripture is found in Genesis 22, when the Lord provided a ram to take the place of Abraham’s son, Isaac, upon the altar of sacrifice. 

“So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide” (Jehovah Jireh in the Hebrew); as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord, it shall be provided.” The whole scene is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf, which is the astounding and beautiful truth of the gospel. 

 

It would have been enough, that Jehova Jireh made provision that paid our debt and clothed our spiritual nakedness in the righteousness of Christ. But so great is the abundance of His love that the gospel goes on to promise His provision for even our lesser, daily needs. Paul reasons, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32) 

 

 

We have a new song to sing this weekend called “Jireh,” which celebrates the providing nature of our Heavenly Father. Please take some time over the weekend to become familiar with the song. Also watch how the musicians in the video below express their worship through it. And, lastly, meditate on what it means to you–in your present season of life–that God’s name is “YHWH sees [your need] and will provide.”