Jehovah Jireh

Aishwarya is a project coordinator at the SELCO foundation

Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV) —

‘The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.’

I was 9 years old when I learnt Psalms 23 by heart. At that age I wondered how a gigantic God could be a small shepherd who watches over a flock! But as I grew up, the same verses (Psalms 23: 1-2) comforted me with the fact that God is always watching over me and I can lead a worry-free life as the creator of heaven and earth is my provider and care taker. I also understood that he is my 'Jehovah Jireh.'

In the Old Testament story of Abraham sacrificing his only son Isaac, Abraham called God 'Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Provides' when God was pleased by Abraham’s obedience and provided a goat to sacrifice instead of his son (Gen 22:14). 

In the New Testament, (Matt 6:8) Jesus also teaches in the beatitudes that God knows our needs even before we ask! Just like the shepherd God continuously cares for us and provides the best for us. Even when it is difficult to cling to Psalms 23 during hardship and terror, it is always comforting to know that we have a God who cares for his children. 

The trustworthy nature of God is described in Psalm 23. He both takes care of our needs physically and teaches us how to live a holy life. He restores us, heals us and generously rewards us (vv. 3-5), and most importantly no matter what, he isn’t going anywhere away from us.  

What a relief to realise that God guides us like a loving shepherd! He does so through his Holy Spirit, through the scriptures and through prayer.

Prayer — Dear God, thank you for being a good shepherd who provides for our needs and takes care of us. Help us abide in you through our hardships and fear.