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We have been in a drought for the last couple of months. I talked to someone a couple of weeks ago, and they said they hadn’t had to cut their grass in over six weeks! Can you believe that?? In our county, it’s been the second largest drought in the last 130 years. That’s pretty significant to be ranked 2/130.
According to the internet, a drought is drier than-normal-conditions. The Bible talks about droughts in a number of places. Though we associate these with rain and dryness, we can certainly walk through them in life as well. We all experience periods of drought. It may not be around rain or weather, but it could be around love and heartbreak, finances or jobs, good decision making or health, forgiveness and hurt, and let’s not forget about our walk with God. If you are in a drought anywhere in your life, the rain, whatever it may be, will come.
There’s a name for God in Genesis 22 that is Jehovah-Jireh, which means “The Lord will provide.” In this chapter, we see Abraham take his son, Isaac, per the instructions of God to the land of Moriah to offer him there as a burnt offering. Now, before we slam the Bible shut there and question: “If God’s so good, why would he have Abraham do this?!” Let’s look at what life was like during this time period. There were pagans (people who didn’t believe in God) in and around Canaan that regularly practiced child sacrifice. They would offer children as food to their gods and also have them do things like walk through fire. If Abraham loved God as much as these pagans loved their gods, then he would be obedient. Abraham was in fact obedient, showing he loved God by being willing to sacrifice his son. However scary this may sound though, he didn’t doubt God, even though he couldn’t see the answer from where he was. As he and Isaac were headed to complete the task, Abraham said to his men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you” (Genesis 22:5). He said we will -- not I will come back to you. Isaac even questioned his dad, saying, “...The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:7-8).
Even though Abraham was walking his beloved son to his death, he had faith that God would provide a way for Isaac and Abraham to return together. And God did just that. He sent an angel to speak to Abraham, informing him not to sacrifice the boy, and as he looked up, he saw … “a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son” (Genesis 22:13).
As Christians, we know that God has provided a way and will always provide a way. He gave His one and only Son as a sacrifice for our sin. That includes every bad decision that we’ve ever made and will ever make. However, just as Abraham demonstrated obedience and humility, we, too, must demonstrate these in where God is calling us to go, even if it’s scary and uncomfortable. We also must demonstrate humility through repentance. A lack of obedience and humility can force us into drought, but sometimes droughts come on their own. We just have to keep walking forward, trusting that God, Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides, will in fact continue to provide.
If you’re in a drought right now friend, turn your face to the Lord and continue to have faith that He will provide for your every need. “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” just as Abraham did (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Have a great week, friends!
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