"GOD WILL PROVIDE"!

Recently I have been going through some difficulties in my life that seemed as though I would not get though them.  The enemy will make things "appear" as though they are catastrophic and there is no hope!  Sometimes, turmoil in life is there to strengthen us..... as the butterfly working it's way out of the cocoon!

Abraham was in a similar situation.   Regardless of what some "Preachers" advocate, I am sure that Abraham did not have joy in his heart when he was headed up Mount Moriah to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to GOD!  Scripture does not record  that Abraham rejoiced as he headed to obey GOD.  Nor does is indicate he proceeded with great fear and anxiety.  Genesis 22:3 simply says that "Abraham rose up early in the morning" to follow his instructions.   He was going to obey GOD!

One can only imagine the thoughts that Abraham was having going to Moriah.  It is easy, looking back, to see "behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns".  But, although he may have known in his heart that GOD loved him, in Genesis 22:9  (KJV)  it is recorded "And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood."

Was it fear, wonder, worry that was going through Abraham's mind?  Isaac was GOD's promise to Abraham and now GOD was telling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?  It did not make sense!

Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Moses could not see the ram in the thicket UNTIL he displayed to GOD that he would obey.   GOD did not reveal HIS provision until Abraham exhibited "FAITH" in GOD!  

In Genesis 22:12-13 it says "And he (GOD) said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son."

One last thing!  We understand that GOD is Omniscient so why did HE have to see that Abraham would be obedient?  Didn't HE already know that Abraham would obey?  Could it be that he needed Abraham to see that his provisions were supplied by The LORD and that GOD would supply ALL his need (Philippians 4:19)?  

I have not been able to see from where GOD's provision was coming.  But I have a peace that GOD will provide all my needs according to HIS riches!  The "ram in the thicket" cannot be seen yet,  but verse 8 of Genesis 22 says "And Abraham said, My son, GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF A LAMB for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together."  GOD WILL PROVIDE!!