Jehovah Jireh.
 
The Hebrew word Raah from which Yireh is derived, means "to see."  Yireh is translated: "provide."  Even the English word provision is made up of two Latin words which mean, "to see beforehand." In other words, since God sees past, present and future, He is able (unlike us) to anticipate and provide for exactly what is needed in every situation.
 
Abraham knew this about God. So much so, that even when God asked him to sacrifice the very son which God Himself had given him based on a covenant promise, Abraham did not waver in his trust in this attribute of Jehovah. He believed that even God could raise from the dead the promise He had given Him. He knew that God is a covenant keeping God - and Jehovah Jireh, who cares for every sparrow, would be faithful to him.
 
Now most of us in Abraham's place, would find ourselves packing our bags and running the other directions (much like Jonah) if we received a directive like this. I know I have at times. There is a place in our hearts that thinks, we are much more able to care for ourselves, than God. We know what we need...or do we?
 
If I am honest, it's exhausting to try and anticipate all that is needed in every given situation. It's literally impossible. Much of the time I see myself and others running around in futile multi-tasking and fruitless distractions. What's the remedy? How do we find true rest for our souls?
 
In the same place Abraham found it. Not in knowing what's going to happen in the future. Not in endless preparations and hopeless worrying. Not in checklists, tasks accomplished or frantic pursuit of our dreams.
 
The place Abraham found rest was in the place of abiding. His hope and dwelling place was not rooted in the promises of God or even his ability to preserve that promise. Abraham remembered that God was the One solely responsible for Isaac's existence and only God could care for that promise. 
 
It's our ability to remain in God that will also determine our soul's rest. Can we trust the Promise-Giver to care, provide for and watch over what He has given us, and for what we do not yet have? 
 
As I painted the sparrows receiving their sustenance from Jesus in this painting, I felt Him reminding me that just as He has not forgotten the sparrows, He most certainly not forgotten you. Those things He has asked you to lay down, sacrifice and even the things you have seen, seemingly die - He is well able to "see" and "provide" for, even if it means breathing life back into dead dreams.
 
Let's put our trust back in the place it belongs - in our Jehovah Jireh. As St. Augustine so wisely said, after a life vainly pursuing his own dreams: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”