JEHOVAH MAGEN

The name Jehovah Magen is defined as: God our shield.  In our modern society a shield is not something that is common to us, yet in biblical times a shield was an important piece of a soldier’s equipment.  A shield protected, guarded, covered, hid and sheltered the soldiers as they went to battle. In Genesis 15:1 God compared Himself to a shield by saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”   God’s desire was to protect Abram from his enemies.  God has not changed, therefore by His name, Jehovah Magen, He is telling us HE will protect, guard, cover, hide, and shelter us.

Psalm 28:7 gives us a description of the shield of God.  “The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield.”   Because God’s shield cannot be penetrated, we are  protected and inaccessible.

Psalm 91:4 tells us, “His truth and His faithfulness are a shield”.

God’s shield surrounds us with favor.  ”For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; You surround him with favor as with a shield.”  Psalm 5:12

Deuteronomy 33:29 describes God’s shield as protective: “How blessed you are, O Israel!  Who else is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword!”

These scriptures declare God’s truth and faithfulness are a shield of surrounding protection which cannot be penetrated.

Although we have an enemy, satan, who is looking for whom he may devour, we can be confident in Jehovah Magen, Who shields us from adverse circumstances and from our physical and spiritual enemies.  

Father, because You, Yourself are a shield which surrounds and protects us, we declare we do not fear. Thank You for loving and caring for us. I pray You would open our eyes to the truth of Who You are.

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH Part 3

The name Jehovah Shammah denotes, God is there.  God has always desired to have fellowship with man.  Isaiah 30:18 describes God’s heart toward man: “Therefore the Lord waits [expectantly] and longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.  For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed (happy, fortunate) are all those who long for Him [since He will never fail them]”.

Joshua 1:9 gives a beautiful promise concerning the presence of God, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God’s faithfulness is not based on how well we are doing, but rather His faithfulness is based on how holy, kind, righteous, and good He is.

In the last post, part 2, we looked at several characteristics of God which usher in His presence: (protection, peace, wisdom, direction, favor, grace,  power, and joy). Let’s explore a few more.

1. MERCY...Ephesians 2:4-5    God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment).
2. HOPE...Romans 15:13   I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. KINDNESS...Romans 2:4   do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?
4. LOVE...Romans 5:8   But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

As I read these scriptures I am overwhelmed by Who God is and His love for us.  What an awesome privilege to be in God’s presence. Psalm 95:2 encourages us to come before His presence with thanksgiving.  Psalm 22:3 tells us praising God brings His presence. As we thank and praise God this day we can be at peace, knowing He is with us.

Father I thank You that You are always with us and we need not fear our circumstances or situations.  I pray the reality of Who You are will fill us today and that the truth of Your character will penetrate deep into our hearts.