God’s Provision
One of the names of our great God is Jehovah-jireh meaning “God will provide”. In Genesis 22, we witness the drama of Abraham being called by God to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. Seen through the prophetic lens of Scripture, the Bible Project noted the following about the account recorded in Genesis 22:
- Both Isaac and Jesus are “beloved sons” who are long-awaited and born in miraculous circumstances (Genesis 22:1; Matthew 3:17)
- Both carry on their own backs the wood that is to be the instrument of their deaths (Genesis 22:6; John 19:17)
- In both cases the Father/father leads the Son/son, and the Son/son follows obediently to His/his own death (Genesis 22:3; Matthew 26:39)
- God provides the sacrifice, which Abraham says will be a lamb (Genesis 22:8; John 1:29)
- Jesus was also an innocent son who went willingly up the mountain to be sacrificed
When we become God’s children, our heavenly Father commits to our protection, provision, and care according to Philippians 4:19. Yes, He provides! But it may not always be in the way we expect or hope. Our challenge is to observe how this provision comes in its different forms.
I wanted to share an article written by Matt Brown called Four Truths about God’s Provision. You can read the whole article, but here’s a sneak peek at the four truths:
1. God may provide differently than we expect
2. God provides more of Himself
3. God’s ultimate provision has already been given in the Gospel
4. God provides finally in eternity
I love the name Jehovah-jireh for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that He has proven this in my life over and over again! Now as I serve Him leading the FAIR department, I hear and see His provision all the time. It truly is a privilege to share these stories with our Fellowship family. Let me recount some amazing stories of how God has used you in the story of His provision around the world.
Madagascar | Out of the Waiting Room appeal
Launched in the fall of 2021, the Out of the Waiting Room appeal was intended to introduce people to the ministry of Dr. Jesh and Julie Thiessen, at a missions hospital in Madagascar, to train Malagasy, mission-minded surgeons to be skilled and compassionate surgeons who know Jesus and love to make Jesus known to their patients. With only 100 surgeons serving a population of 26 million, the need for more surgeons is significant. Two residents began their training in January and they will complete their internship in five years.
Our goal: $145,000; God provided $257,224
Honduras | Casa Hogar | Growing Home appeal
Launched in the winter of 2022, the Growing Home appeal invited people to help support a housing expansion project at Casa Hogar to provide improved accommodations for youth which would better meet their needs. This appeal has been significantly impacted by the Ukraine crisis and so we have only reached 73% of our goal. We are trusting in God’s timing and provision to make this expansion come to fruition.
Fellowship Child Sponsorship Program
A new ministry joined the Fellowship’s Child Sponsorship program in May. Joy Foundation, led by new Fellowship International missionary, Helene Hwang, is a ministry to help the children of illegal Haitian migrants living in the Dominican Republic. In 2022, we had two goals: to reach 492 active child sponsorships, and to have 85 new child sponsors join the program. We now have 494 active child sponsors, and 32 new sponsors. Once all of Joy Foundation’s sponsors have transitioned to giving through the Fellowship, we will reach our new sponsor goal.
Ukraine Refugee Crisis
Remarkably, in a period of just over three months God has provided over $1.4 million! This is God’s provision and we ask you to celebrate with us. This initiative has a fluid nature to it. As a volunteer at an emergency shelter stated, “The situation is dynamic and we are flexible.” For example, more effort is being directed to actually provide food and medical supplies, through our partners, across the border into Ukraine. Some of the 3.3 million refugees from Ukrainian are now returning to safe areas of Ukraine. Let’s pray for an end to the invasion and for a movement of God in this crisis to draw people to Himself.
Let’s be reminded that God is true to His name – Jehovah-jireh. He has provided for our greatest need—to be redeemed—and He will continue to provide for all of our needs according to His riches in Christ!