Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers an insightful perspective on how we use God’s name:
What unworthy ideas and notions this world has of God! If you test your ideas of God by the teaching of the Scriptures you will see at a glance what I mean. We lack even a due sense of the greatness and the might and the majesty of God. Listen to men arguing about God, and notice how fluently they use the term. . . . It is indeed almost alarming to observe the way in which we all tend to use the name of God. We obviously do not realize that we are talking about the ever blessed, eternal, and absolute, almighty God. There is a sense in which we should take our shoes off our feet whenever we use the name (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, 2 vols. [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979], 2:60–61).
Throughout the centuries no names have endured more abuse than those belonging to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Whether used in an epithet or curse, in casual or formal conversation, in secular or theological discussions, Their names are more often treated with disrespect than with respect or exaltation (MacArthur, John: Alone With God. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1995).
In Scripture a person’s name represented their character. And so it is with God. The names given to Him in Old Testament passages describe a character/personality of God.
In scripture we see God as Elohim – “God our Creator”, El Elyon – “possessor of heaven and earth”, Jehovah-nissi-“The Lord Our Banner”, Jehovah-Rapha-“The Lord that Heals”, Jehovah-shalom-“The Lord Our Peace”, Jehovah-Raah-“The Lord Our Shepherd”, Jehovah-Tsidkenu-“The Lord our righteousness, Jehovah-Sabaoth-“The Lord of hosts”, Jehovah-Shama-“the Lord is present and near”, Jehovah-Maqodeshkim-“The Lord Sanctifies”, and Jehovah-Jireh-“The Lord Will Provide”.
Each of these names were given to God by the people of God as a testimony to God’s revealed personality during a circumstance of life. The same is said of many of us today because we have assigned a name to God either reverently or irreverently.
I agree with John McArthur when he says in his book, “Alone With God”, that “While we may cringe and actually voice displeasure when we hear someone taking God’s name in vain, we would do well to examine our own heart’s attitude. Indifference and lack of respect due His name from those who love Him may be just as heinous a sin. Unfortunately it is this latter problem that often plagues Christianity. When believers have a low view of God, everything focuses on meeting felt needs within the body of Christ. When the church adopts such a perspective, it often offers people nothing more than spiritual placebos where we say something to win the favor of those who sit before us. It centers on psychology, self-esteem, entertainment, and a myriad of other diversions to attempt to meet perceived and felt needs.
(MacArthur, John: Alone With God. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1995)
But I’m discovering that the more I get to know God the more I love and appreciate God. To me God is more than just a being in a heaven. He’s God all-powerful, all-sufficient, all-knowing, and all-present. My faith has been increased after studying some of the names of God. It is the revelation of these names that has caused me to see God in totally different light than ever before. The final analysis is “I serve a God who can do anything”.
However, while I love God more now than ever before the name given to Him, Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord Will Provide, by Abraham in Genesis 22 troubles me to a degree.
This name given to God by Abraham comes during a very stressful time in the life Abraham. Abraham in many instances was asked of God to do the unthinkable, offer Isaac as a sacrifice to God. WOW! The promised son to Abraham, God says give him back to me. That’s a difficult place to be in. I don’t want to get ahead of myself in the introduction but it almost seems that God is a heavenly Indian giver. To give something to a person and then decide, “I want it back!”
It has been said that the parents of Siamese twins who were joined at the waist had to make a difficult decision. Both could not live, so the parents had to choose which child would live and which child would die. That’s the predicament Abraham is in, kill Isaac and prove his love to God or love Isaac and dishonor God. What a situation to be in.
Not only does Abraham have to deal with his relationship to God in his choosing but let’s not forget Sarah. Think about this:
Abraham: “Sarah, me and Isaac is leaving!
Sarah: “Where are you guys going?”
Abraham: “I just got word from God that He wants me to offer Isaac has sacrifice to Him.”
Sarah: “What!”
Abraham: “God wants me to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.” He repeats.
Sarah: “No, you’re going to kill our son! Are you crazy!” “You have lost your mind!”
Can you see the pots, knives, and pans being thrown at Abraham?
Not only is Abraham torn between God and Isaac and Sarah but he’s also torn between the thoughts of his neighbors and friends. The text doesn’t allude to it but let the bible live for a moment. Truth is some of the things God asks of is down right ridiculous and to those who are not a child of God and not spiritually mature will not understand your faith. So to them you’re stupid. Peer pressure, I don’t care how old or young you are, strays our decision-making process at times. Therefore, it would have been easy to say; “You’re right, I’m not giving up Isaac!” to in good standing with friends rather than with God.
Abraham has a serious decision to make, please God and let go his son or hold on to his son and let go of God.
Do you not know that many of us are faced with the same decision today, let go of that that is so precious to us and please God or hold on to that that is so precious to us and let go of God.
Abraham teaches us an important lesson in the text because Abraham made the decision to put God first. His decision provides a testimony to us today and for ages to come which is my sermon sentence summary for the day:
God will meet your needs in the midst of the most difficult circumstances of life when you make Him a priority in your life.
So, let us look at this story of Abraham and gleam some truths to will help us endure difficult circumstances of life by putting our trust in the God who will provide all our needs. Here are four (4) principles to hold on to:
1. The Difficulty of Understanding God’s Purpose – v. 1
In chapter 21, as promised, Sarah gives joyful birth to a son, Isaac. Strife erupts in the family, and Sarah insists that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. After a peaceful resolution with the Philistine city, Abraham experiences the ultimate test of his faith. God tells Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice.
Before going any further in the story stop right here because deleting verses 2-14, we have a problem right here in understanding God’s purpose in verse 1. Why is God testing Abraham? Did Abraham make some mistake in time past that God decided to test him? Yes, Abraham made a mistake lying about Sarah being his sister rather than his wife. But was it so bad that now God wants to test him? Abraham waited for Isaac for a long time, why test him now?
One of the biggest problems in the life of a believer is to understand God’s purpose in our lives. As a matter of fact, we are so confused about God’s purpose in life that we misinterpret tests as trials and tribulations.
To understand the difference between test and trials we need to know how to distinguish between the two.
First, trials are sometimes self-inflicted. In other words, you are the reason for your troubles. You made the bad decision and didn’t need any help. Secondly, trials are sometimes caused by Satan. The bible is clear that Satan goes about searching for who he can destroy. Thirdly, trials are sometimes people caused. It means that there are some people you don’t need in life because they are bad news.
The difference between trials and test is that trials are caused by people, Satan, and/or our own bad choices. However, God is the source of all testing. Job’s test came after God gave the devil permission to attack Job. God’s purpose was to prove to Satan that Job’s faith is strong and could not be broken.
Point: The purpose of test in our lives is to build our character. You may not like it but you need it.
One of the problems with many believers is that we want blessings that we’re not ready for. God wants to bless you! But He wants to bless with things that you’re ready for. How many times has God blessed you and the blessing took precedence over God.
2. The Decision to Obey God Under-Pressure – v. 2-3
These verses are somewhat confusing to me. God promises a son to Abraham and Sarah and it came to pass now He wants Abraham to give him back. Wow! What’s that all about?
This test seems unfair. Why would God want to take back from me what He’s given to me? Isaac is not Abraham’s only son. He also has Ishmael. Take him instead would have been my suggestion. Ishmael is my mistake but Isaac is Your fulfilled promise. Let me keep the promise but take my mistake.
Interesting, it’s easy to give away our mistakes but difficult giving back our blessing(s).
God wants to make sure nothing takes priority over Him (not even our children). Could there be any other test outside of offering what’s precious and promised to me? Maybe! But remember we’re talking about God here and He makes the choice test we need. It’s not our job to question God but to obey God even if it costs us some things.
Without questioning God, Abraham rises early in the morning to do what God instructed him to do, WOW, What obedience!
What God asks of Abraham is one of the most difficult and hardest things to do but Abraham obeys anyway. What does this say about Abraham to us today? At this point, God is looking for Abraham’s obedience. Will Abraham do what I’ve asked him to do?
What can we learn about obedience?
- Obedience doesn’t procrastinate (“So Abraham rose early in the morning…”). Tension: We’ll try to negotiate with God to delay our act of obedience. Abraham wasted no time, but got himself up and gathered everything he needed to do what God had commanded. He left nothing out, but he took nothing extra! Procrastination has caused the death of many profound spiritual experiences. We confuse waiting with procrastination. We say we’re waiting for God but in reality God is waiting for you.
- Obedience is being prepared (“…and saddled his donkey, took two of his young men with, Isaac his son, split the wood, and went to the place of which God told him.”) Tension: We’ll try to leave some stuff behind to delay our obedience. Abraham was not only prepared in what he took but he was also prepared in his heart. Abraham knew what he was going to do. Isaac was the future but Abraham was prepared to give for today and all that was promised for tomorrow. Are you prepared to give today in order to let God provide for your tomorrow.
3. The Desire to Please God Sacrificially – v. 4-8
This verse is powerful because of two reasons:
1. It’s a statement of Principle – “We’re going to worship” - Abraham declares in this verse that the sacrifice of Isaac is an act of worship. It’s hard to worship God when God has to compete for our attention. What has your attention more than God?
This worship was going to cost Abraham dearly. Genuine worship is costly because it requires us to make sacrifices. Sacrifices like time, talents, plans, pride, pleasures, secret sins, and some many more.
Here’s the principle to behold:
- God wants nothing less than everything
- God wants nothing less than your best
2. It’s a statement of Perspective – “We will come back to you” – Abraham believes that when he comes back Isaac is coming back with him. What a faith! Abraham doesn’t know what lies ahead for his son Isaac but he believes that God will provide for them both so that they can come back. It teaches us that faith is expectancy. As a child of God you should expect God to do some things in your life.
4. The Declaration to Acknowledge God Undeniably – v. 9-14
God saves Isaac life by providing a lamb caught thickets and Abraham declares the place; “LORD-WILL-PROVIDE”.
Where does the Lord provide our needs?
In the place of His assignment. Abraham was at the right place, so God could meet his needs. We have no right to expect the provision of God if we are not in the will of God.
When does God meet our needs?
Just when we have the need and not a minute before. When you bring your requests to the throne of grace, God answers with mercy and grace “in time of need” (see note Hebrews 4:16). Sometimes it looks like God waits until the last minute to send help, but that is only from our human point of view. God is never late.
How does God provide for us?
In ways that are usually quite natural. God did not send an angel with a sacrifice; He simply allowed a ram to get caught in a bush at a time when Abraham needed it and in a place where Abraham could get his hands on it. All Abraham needed was one animal, so God did not send a whole flock of sheep.
To whom does God give His provision?
To those who trust Him and obey His instructions. When we are doing the will of God, we have the right to expect the provision of God. Warren Wiersbe says; “A deacon in the first church I pastored used to remind us, “When God’s work is done in God’s way, it will not lack God’s support.” God is not obligated to bless my ideas or projects, but He is obligated to support His work if it is done in His way”.
Why does God provide our every need?
For the great glory of His name! “Hallowed be Thy name” is the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13), and it governs all the other requests. God was glorified on Mount Moriah because Abraham and Isaac did the will of the Lord and glorified Jesus Christ. We must pause to consider this important truth." (Wiersbe, W. W: Be Obedient Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books) (Bolding added).
If you take care of God’s business, God will take care of your business
