THE NAME OF THE LORD – JEHOVAH NISSI
May 2, 2025THE NAME OF THE LORD – JEHOVAH RAPHA
May 4, 2025What does it mean that the name of the LORD is a tower of refuge? As I see it, it means, to trust God, and His ability to keep us safe through whatever may come, however strong it may fall upon us, and whatever kind of feelings may run within us. Yes, it means to place, all the concerns of our safety and security, into the hands of God, and patiently and expectantly wait upon Him, and Him alone. Whatever may hit us, and however strongly it may hit us, and whatever hurt and harm it may cause us, we ought to learn to wait upon our LORD, the Good Shepherd. This is the kind of radical trust, and true biblical faith, that is expected of a Christian disciple, who wishes to follow the Master, our Good Shepherd. This is what Proverbs 18:10 means, when it says…
– “10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10
The name of YAHWEH, for our meditation this morning is, JEHOVAH ROHI or JEHOVAH RAAH. This means “THE LORD is MY SHEPHERD” as found in Psalm 23, emphasising YAHWEH’s care and protection of all who trust Him, and come under His protective care.
– “1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
To be a shepherd in Israel, is to take up the lowest and the meanest kind of job. Such jobs are not preferred by anyone.
– “…Rabbi Joseph Bar Hamna, [says] there is not a more contemptible office than that of a shepherd….But God disdaineth not [to become our Shepherd] to feed his flock, to guide, to govern, to defend them, to handle and heal them, to tend and take care of them.” – John Trapp
The sheep, on its part, are expected to implicitly trust the Shepherd, and obey the Shepherd’s call, immediately, without any delay or hesitation. Whatever is happening within, and whatever dangers maybe lurking around the sheep, if it wants to be truly safe and secure, the sheep should place its trust on the Shepherd, and His skill to keep it safe, than believe its own fears, however real they may be. This is the key lesson for us, as we look at JEHOVAH ROHI.
May the LORD help us to truly trust Him and His ability to help us keep safe, through all our tests, trials, storms and struggles. May we realise that the Good Shepherd truly cares for us, and had laid down His life, as ransom, for the remission of the sins of the world – Mark 10:45. Even so, the LORD help us.
