Names of God – Pt 16
“In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your name forever.” Selah (Psalm 44:8)
JEHOVAH GANAN – “GOD OUR/MY DEFENSE” (Psalm 89:18)
I’ve mentioned this before but The Lord has laid this on my heart and my prayer is that as we study, discover and learn more about God’s Names, which reflect all the He Is and His Perfect Character rooted in Truth and Love, we will know Him more. As we know Him more we will worship Him alone and grow to love Him with all we are (First and Greatest Command – Mark 12:29-30)!
Today’s Name is another from King David in Psalm 89:18 where He describes God as JEHOVAH GANAN – GOD OUR/MY DEFENSE. How comforting is that in any and every situation… fear, disease, threat, enemies, uncertainty, sin, even death? David proclaimed God as Israel’s shield or defense against enemies and affliction because of His Covenant with His people.
We have that same shield and Defense as God has fulfilled all of His Covenants in Christ for all who believe in Him as Savior and Lord, both Jew and Gentile!
Christ is our “JEHOVAH GANAN – GOD OUR/MY DEFENSE!” We see this literally when we are strong in Christ’s strength and put on the Gospel Armor in Ephesians 6:10-17 and in particular the shield of Faith in Christ that protects us against satan’s attacks. We are defended, safe and secure in Him!
We also find Christ as our Shield and Defender, always there for us in Hebrews 13:5-8. Whatever you are facing, or may face in the future, by faith (the shield of faith in Christ) you can rest assured the He is with you and protecting you.
Who/what is your trust in to help and defend you? We all face things in life that are difficult, uncertain and tough. Christ has promised to protect us and see us through even into eternity with Him. I pray that you know Him as Savior and Lord.
JEHOVAH MACHAI – “GOD OUR REFUGE” (Psalm 91:2, 9)
I don’t know about you but the more I study and get to know God and His incredible character rooted in His Truth and Love for me (us) I am so encouraged and blessed. When I think that this Glorious, Perfect, Righteous and Holy God would come in the form of His Son as a helpless Baby for my salvation, I can’t help but be humbled and grateful.
It’s amazing how each name, even very similar names, reveal even more of His Love and character, layer by layer, and help us to know Who He Is and how much He loves us and what He does for us, including our salvation and freedom in Christ!
This Name is another one of those that adds a very encouraging and inspiring layer to His character and is found in Psalm 91:2, 9. Here David is sharing in praise and worship of God for His incredible Protection and Presence at all times and that all who put their trust in Him are secure. In this verse, central to all he is saying in this Psalm, God reveals Himself and David refers to Him as “JEHOVAH MACHAI – GOD OUR REFUGE.”
We’ve seen this concept before but David is letting us know that there is no reason to fear for those who trust in God…those who abide in Him as their dwelling place!
Where are you abiding, whether in the good times or the storms of life? He is always there and is our REFUGE! Will you choose to make Him your Refuge?
Christ is our “JEHOVAH MACHAI – GOD OUR REFUGE” fulfilling the Old Covenant and making it new in His life, death, blood and sacrifice for our sins, and to bring us into this relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Remember that Refuge is similar to our Stronghold, our Defense, our Rock, Shield and Protection. One of the most beautiful places we find Christ as “JEHOVAH MACHAI – GOD OUR REFUGE” is in Matthew 23:37 when He expresses His Love and desire to gather His people under His wings…a place of shelter and refuge to all who will receive Him as Savior and Lord.
We also find this character and concept when we look to Christ and know that nothing can shake those who find their Refuge in the Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22) where we mature and are secure, individually and collectively as His People in Christ!
What are you facing today? Who, what or where do you turn to for refuge? Are you finding the peace you’re seeking? You can only find it in Christ as “JEHOVAH MACHAI – GOD OUR REFUGE.” I pray that you look to Him and choose to make Him your Refuge.
JEHOVAH HAMELECH – “GOD THE KING” (Psalm 98:6)
Today’s final Name of God is a powerful one but also one that should cause us to stop and reflect on the personal application in our own lives and relationships. It is found in Psalm 98, which is a straight up call for us to praise The Lord for His Righteousness.
In v. 6 David calls God JEHOVAH HAMELECH – GOD THE KING. We’ve looked at God as King of kings and Lord of lords in a previous name and David essentially states, in The Holy Spirit, that as we sound the trumpets and shout His Name, we do so because He is King…The Righteous King.
The question that faces each of us with this name, as with King of kings and Lord of lords, is that while He is KING, you still have the choice…so, the question… Have you made Him King of your life?
Because of Christ as Savior and Lord, we also have the full right and privilege by faith through grace, to walk with Him as King. He was not a King that made us bear the burden but He took it upon Himself to bear it for us (that’s why He came). Imagine that, a King, the only perfectly Righteous King that took the punishment and bore the burden of His servants.
Here are 2 Scriptures that remind us that Christ is “JEHOVAH HAMELECH – GOD THE KING” and that He is King over all those who willingly submit to and believe in Him as King in their lives… John 18:36; Revelation 1:5-6.
Check these out and be sure not to miss that while He is King, His true desire is to be King in each life as we submit to Him as such. By faith through grace make Him King of your life.
Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – Jehovah Gannan – God My/Our Defense and with Christ we have the Shield of Faith and He is our ever Faithful Helper that never changes. He is Jehovah Machai – God Our Refuge and in Christ we are secure under His wings and on Him as our Cornerstone. Finally, He is Jehovah Hamelech – God The King. Christ has done all that is needed to make Him not just The King but King of your life…have you believed in Christ as your King?
Love and Lordship…Action Item –
- Read the Scriptures in this article and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
- Write down what each of the Names of God in this post mean to you.
- Today’s Names of God reveal that He is our Defense, Refuge and King. What does that look like in your life?
- What do you need today (any/all) in Christ and why? Will you come to Him?
Contact us at Love and Lordship to find out more about how you can know God the Father, Christ His Son and The Holy Spirit and The Lord God.
Check out this week’s Love & Lordship Mentoring Minute Video