Daily Devotional

Does the name Duce McKenzie mean anything to you because it shouldn't. You see that was a nickname given to me by one of my good friends in high school. The name is actually a combination of two names. My friend Paul Jaime, and I played football together at Bullard High school. Our football coach started calling me "Duce" because there was a famous football player at the time named Duce Staley; no relation. There was also another famous football player who played the same position as I did and had dreadlocks (just as I did) named Mike McKenzie. So, you put those two names together and you get Paul's nickname for me, Duce McKenzie. So to the untrained ear, that name means nothing but to the right person that name actually reveals a little bit about me. As we read the Bible we see God's name described in unique and varying ways all of which reveal a little more about who God is. One of those names is Jehovah Jireh aka The Lord will provide.

Have you ever been in a serious time of need and someone provided for you? Maybe a time when the person came through with exactly what you needed. Sometimes in moments of great need, we can have these moments of panic when we think to ourselves, "How am I going to make it?!?" We are all desperate for God to provide in our lives but in moments of crisis, often we struggle to believe that He will. Sure we understand fundamentally that God is our provider and that He provides for us, but when tests come our way, do we still see Him as Jehovah Jireh in our lives.

Abraham was faced with one of the most difficult tests ever. God tested Abraham for the purpose of obedience and trust. Because Abraham was faithful to obey God, even when He didn't understand, God was able to show Himself as Jehovah Jireh. Unfortunately, many times we don't get as far as Abraham did. The moment we get tested and feel uncomfortable, we immediately begin to doubt or take our trust off of God. Yet, we should submit to the test, stay faithful to God, and allow Him to reveal Himself as our provider. When we ask for provision we must understand as James tells us that we have to ask with the correct motives. But we must also ask with confidence knowing that He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine!

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.