The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)

This morning the Lord woke me to this Psalm encouraging me to read it in other translations. This one is from the Contemporary English Version. I encourage you to read it out loud.

“You, LORD (JESUS), are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.

You are true to Your name, and You lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and Your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.

You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in Your house, Lord.”

It is all about learning to put our total trust is Jesus knowing His ability and will is to take care of us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV) instructs us, “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not (trust) your own judgment. Always allow Him to lead you and He will clear the road for you to follow.”

We have been taught, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” When we do this we are trying to make ourselves our god.

To learn to trust God in every area of our life takes renewing our minds to God’s ways of doing things. We do this by following Matthew 6:33, more than anything else seek God and His presence first. Listen for His instruction. This is His righteousness. Then the other things will come to us when we do what He says no matter how strange it may sound.

Recently I was seeking Him on a matter I thought needed an immediate answer. He replied with, “Wait upon the Lord.” I had peace in Christ and I let it go. When and if I need to respond on this matter, I am trusting He will let me know and then I will act on it.

As you join in communion with Christ today, rejoice in His love and care. No matter what happens or how hopeless things may seem, allow Jesus to walk with you through your darkness or shadow that looks like death. It is only a shadow when Christ is with you. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is my Banner (Exodus 17:15)

This morning we meet God as Jehovah Nissi. 

This name of God is first introduced in Exodus 17:15, “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner”.

Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word “Havah” meaning "to be," "to exist," and suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known." He never changes and He wants us to know Him by name. (See Psalm 91:14)

 The Lord is my banner probably referred to lifting up of the rod of God as their standard, believing the presence and power of Jehovah would go before them in battle with the conviction that the Lord God would given them the victory.

In Psalm 91:2 “…the Lord is my refuge (banner),” we learn we are covered by El Shaddai and we declare and decree the battle is won because God is our Jehovah Nissi, our banner. 

Banner also means standard or rallying point. This is a military term. The definition of standard is the morals, ethics, and acceptable behavior established by those having authority. 

When we go to battle we align ourselves with the standards of God always remembering who we are fighting, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.” (Ephesians 6:12 AMP)

In the Song of Songs 2:4 (AMP) God tells me that “He has brought me to His banqueting table,

And His banner over me is love [waving overhead to protect and comfort me].”

Jehovah Nissi is the One we go to as our place of refuge, our hiding place.

Do you need protection, comforting, direction and love today? Go into the secret place, the presence of God, and call on Jehovah Nissi. (See John 14:26, the characteristics of the Holy Spirit)

Rrejoice in communion today as you come to His banqueting table because Jesus has given us complete access to our God as Jehovah Nissi. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen