Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide

Yesterday I received a call from a friend. I knew when I saw her name on my phone screen that it was something important because she's not one to call unexpectedly. As soon as I answered, I heard it in her voice. That "Hey, are you busy?" was filled with worry and fear. I was working but my immediate response was, "No. What's going on, Sis?" She had just received word that a coworker had been permanently laid off. Naturally, she was concerned that her job was in jeopardy.

Her home.

Her medical benefits.

Her peace of mind.

All within a matter of minutes, she was at risk of losing her provision...or so it seemed.

After she finished expressing her concerns, I said, "Sis, I'm going to pray for you right now."

I prayed.

I then encouraged her, advised her not to worry and asked her to keep me updated as she heard any news.

After our call ended, I continued to pray for my sister as if I were praying for myself. I knew exactly what to pray because a couple months ago, I was faced with a similar situation. The company that I work for underwent a 10% workforce reduction. I didn't know about it; in fact, I don't think that anyone other than upper management and HR had any knowledge as to what was about to happen. But I'll tell you who did know...God did.

In Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth, he encourages believers to understand that we are not ignorant of the devices that Satan has formulated against us. When we submit ourselves to the authority of Christ Jesus and allow Holy Spirit to be our guide, He will enlighten our spiritual eyes so that we are not caught off guard when our enemy decides to unleash. Holy Spirit gave me what I call a Holy heads up and directed me to war for my job through prayer. I didn't know why but I obeyed. For three days as I felt anxiety welling up in my spirit, I contended with the Word for my position. On the third day I felt the anxiety lift and I was immediately at peace. It wasn't until three days after, that an announcement was made that layoffs had occurred.

It is never God Who takes away provision from His children - I don't care what the pastor told you. I don't care what your grandmother told you. God is Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider. He is our Jehovah Rohi Who leads us to our provision so that we may avoid lack. (Psalm 23:1) It is your adversary who desires to take away from you in an attempt to make God look like a liar. Even when Job lost everything, it was Satan who depleted him, not God. So when he (Job) proclaimed that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, he was unaware that it was Satan who was testing him. Throughout the years, we've heard this scripture quoted incorrrectly and as a means to justify the loss of a job, a spouse or a child. It was not God's will that my job be snatched away and I be without means to provide for my family and neither was it His will that my friend lose her job.

A few hours later, my friend texted me. She informed me that the layoff didn't affect her; she was good. God knew her situation before the situation ever became one. He had already provided a resolve. He is Jehovah Jireh. He is our God Who gives good things to His children. He is Our God Who gives but He does not take away supply from His sons and daughters. So the next time that someone tries glorify and church-ify their loss by saying that God took it away, tell them the devil is a liar. And they just might be one too.

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