Abraham named the place where he was to sacrifice Isaac "Jehovah Jireh," which means the Lord will provide. God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac.

The Bible is filled with accounts of God's providential protection of His people. He protected Joseph, Mary, and Jesus from the inhumane jealousy of Herod. He protected Paul through over thirty-five years of preaching. Though Paul suffered much persecution, the Lord delivered him out of the hand of the adversary until the very end (2 Thessalonians 3:2, RSV).

Psalm 50:15 affirms, "I will deliver thee." Hebrews chapter 11 gives a significant list of people who were helped and delivered by the Lord because they had faith to serve Him.

Romans 8:28 encourages, "We know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose" (ASV).

It is a wonderful and unsurpassing assurance to know that God cares, that God provides, and that we are sheltered in the hollow of His hand.