I'm changing gears here and thought I'd sprinkle in some Christian songs that hit me pretty hard that I may have cried when I heard and sang them. It doesn't have to be the first time I hear or sing it. It could have been something that I've heard a thousand times growing up and it was just something I needed to hear. With these, I'll include a video from YouTube of either the band playing it or the album cover followed by the lyrics below. Underneath both the video and lyrics, I'll give a reflection and/or anecdote of my life and how it really struck me.
Verse 1
See the flowers in the fields and how they grow
They don't labor, yet You choose to bless them so
As a child, I will learn to do the same
Trusting that You will clothe me in strength
Chorus (x2)
Jehovah Jireh, You are my provider
Verse 2
See the birds of the sky and how they fly
And every need they have, You satisfy
As a child, I will learn to do the same
Trusting that You will clothe me in strength.
(Chorus)
Bridge (x3)
Not today and not tomorrow
I won't worry about a thing
For You provide
(Chorus x2)
Reflection
I grew up with a song called Jehovah Jireh, but it was neither this version nor the same lyrics as the one I am sharing with you. I recently discovered it on Spotify while trying to find the Jehovah Jireh that I used to lead in worship in the church I grew up in. I honestly love it so much more. If you haven't figured it out yet, Jehovah Jireh means "The Lord will provide" in Hebrew. Even though it is such a simple song, it gives three concrete examples of how God provides continuously.
The first example is in the first two lines about flowers and how they grow. If you either live in the Pacific Northwest or heard about it in the news, then you know that there were forest fires that were really intense that caused a lot of damage in August/September. As I drove through one of the affected areas this was happening for the first time, I saw the damage that the fires it had on the trees and the ground. What once was green grass with trees, there were black barren areas. After a week or so later and after it had already rained, I drove in the same area again. I noticed that despite it was black barren earlier there was now grass starting to grow and show. Such a sign of hope and God's provision with just rain! Just like the flowers, He is using the bad in life to help us learn, grow, and feel renewed.
The second example I want to point out is the example of the birds in the second verse. Do you think they worry when their next meal will be or where they live? Of course not. God provides both food and shelter. You can even find that in the Bible by checking out Matthew 6:25-27. He always provides a way but you have to open your eyes to what He is telling you.
The final example is the child repeated in both verses of this song. Children, especially young ones, tend to trust and have faith fairly easily. They trust whoever is raising them to feed them, clothe them, and cherish them. In the Bible, Jesus tells adult believers that they should have the faith of a child's (Matthew 18:2-6). God wants to provide for us and does it perfectly despite our ignorance and pride that blinds us. It's also the sin in this world that makes us not trust people and especially God.
Anecdote
While I was listening to music over my Echo and getting ready to wind down for the day, Jehovah Jireh came on the speaker and I completely broke down in tears. I'm not one to get emotional, but at the time I had been really struggling with receiving disappointing news continuously when it came to finding housing for the next 6 months or so. It wasn't for my lack of trying. As time continued getting closer to needing a new place, the stress and anxiety wore on me, and fear started to settle in. Deep down I knew God would provide for me since He always has, but when you feel so helpless that's when fear knows when to creep in. Hearing Jehovah Jireh was the sign I needed to know that the option I was currently pursuing was the right option. The following weekend I found out that I got approved for an apartment that I'd call home for the next year or so.
I can also pinpoint other times in my life where God provided for me in one way or another throughout my adult life. He's provided me the finances to go to college and not have to take a break for a semester even if it seemed like I was going to need to take a semester off. Working full time at a job I hated throughout college was far from ideal but I am forever grateful for that job because I would not be where I am today if God didn't provide it to me.
Another example is when I moved across the country with nothing lined up. It was by far the hardest decision I have made in my life, but I felt God was calling me to do it for so many reasons. I followed the calling and God continued to protect me and provide for me. Soon after arriving to the Seattle-Tacoma area, I received the job I still work at today as well as a place to live. Despite not being paid very well and attempted multiple times to get a better paying position, I still am grateful I am employed with plenty of work on my plate, especially during a time where employment is a scary situation for so many people.
One last concrete example is during Covid. Like many, I lost a good chunk of income that was helping me pay off my loans. God still provided a way despite having to sacrifice a little bit in order to pay off my loans quickly, which I'm debt-free.
There is so much scripture you can find on how God provides both in His promises and in more concrete ways through those who followed Him. These are just a few passages you can find in the scriptures that show how God will provide:
- Genesis 22:14
- Isaiah 12:2
- Luke 12:22-24
- Philippians 4:6-7
- Philippians 4:19
