Reading through Genesis, Abraham has been childless and waiting for the child God had promised him. Chapter 21 opens with God fulfilling that promise – He does for  Abraham and Sarah what He said He would. Then in the very next chapter, “some time later” after the fulfilment of the promise, God decides to test Abraham’s faith. Reminds me of 1 Peter 1:7.

God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son at a place He would show him. Abraham goes to the place with Isaac, and as he prepares to offer Isaac, God stops him. I marvel at Abraham’s faith. Then I think back to the chapters before this one. God has told Abraham repeatedly that He would make Abraham great, He was explicit that the promise would be through Issac.

I assume Abraham held on to the promises of God, even if this current instruction seemed contradictory to the promise. Abraham chose to obey God and leave the consequences to Him. The instruction was just that, a test. Once the results came in, God stepped in and provided a sacrifice and Abraham named the place Yahweh – Yireh (Jevohah Jireh). Verse 14 says the people still use the name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

I’ve read this story many times before, but I never truly understood the proverb—until now.

I understand it to mean this: the mountain of the Lord is the place that God takes you, where his instructions lead you. So if you make it to the mountain of the Lord, if you follow his direction, his leading, and obey him wherever that may take you, that is the mountain of the Lord. It says there it will be provided. In this places of obedience, God provides whatever it is we need. He takes responsibility for the outcome. Our part is simply to get there.

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your  understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”

I have to say, the concept is a little hard for me to grasp. I’m the type who wants to know how things will play out before I move. I appreciate and even take pride in having understanding, however limited it may be. So not leaning on my own understanding feels unnatural.

But knowing God takes responsibility for the stuff I trust into his hands, and ensures guidance and direction, that takes the pressure off.

This (Glowing Jars, this article and many to come after this) is one of those things for me. I believe God wants me to be a voice of encouragement to other believers by encouraging and reminding others that they are not alone in their pursuit to live lives that honour and glorify Christ Jesus.

So as I “go to the mountain of the Lord”, I invite you to journey with me – in your own situation – as we trust Him to provide the ram in the thicket.