Main Thought
Trials are tests to determine whether something is suitable or prepared. God will sometimes allow adverse circumstances to test if we’re prepared for the things he has in store for us. No one enjoys being tested! Life’s trials often reveal what we trust and value most. But we can be confident in knowing that God sees what we really need. He already saw our greatest need (the forgiveness of sin), and He provided the solution (Jesus). We can be at peace when we ask for our God’s provision in our day-to-day lives.
Main Passages
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
- Genesis 22:9-14
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
- John 8:56-58
23 Jesus replied, Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.
- John 14:23
Discussion Questions
Think about a trial you’ve faced. What did you turn to, or trust, to bring you through that trial?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being not confident and 5 being very confident), how confident are you that God can provide for all of your needs? What makes you feel that way?
God is called “Jehovah Jireh” because it is His nature to provide for his children’s needs. What’s one practical way you can respond in faith, knowing that God provides for our needs?
Family Questions
What are some things that you want right now? What are some things that you need?