The Names of God Series: JEHOVAH-RAAH (THE LORD MY SHEPHERD)
Meaning and Derivation: Jehovah is translated as "The
Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived
from the Hebrew word Havah meaning "to be" or "to exist."
It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become
known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô'eh from
which Raah derived, means "shepherd" in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who
feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Eze 34:11-15). An extend translation of
this word, rea', is "friend" or "companion." This indicates
the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are
combined - Jehovah Raah - it can be translated as "The Lord my
Friend." [From BlueLetterBible]
“‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will
search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his
scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will
rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds
and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the
countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on
the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.
I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be
their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there
they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend
my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Ezekiel 34:11-15
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands
were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd,
the stone of Israel:) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and
by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings
of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The
blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors
unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of
Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his
brethren.
Genesis 49:24-26
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a
flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim,
Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.
Psalm 80:1-2
The verses above remind me of the classic hymn, "What
A Friend We Have In Jesus", and I am so grateful I can call Him
Redeemer, King, and Friend. As the previous devotions/blogs
have mentioned though we are, were, and continue to be sinful (we are born of
sin - this world is sinful), the Father, Son, and Spirit seek us to be transformed
through an intimate communion, through grace and forgiveness found through
Jesus Christ alone.
God desires to walk with us, to lead us, as we go
through-out this space. When we allow Him to navigate our lives it is like the
animals who get herded by a sheep, like the sheep who gets led by a Shepherd. The
Creator of all things knows all, He formed all, and is aware of past, present,
and future, what better One to direct your steps?
Yes God does know all things, but yet and still He desires
to hear it from you. This is one of the things I am still working on, speaking out
loud to God about my praises, prayers, daily happenings, and personal reflections. However, when I do so, I can say
there is a difference in my spirit. Talking aloud just makes it more real, albeit your neighbor may
think you are bonkers their opinion really won't matter come the day of Judgment.
Plus, when you vocalize your side of the conversation it makes it all-the-more
easier (in my opinion) to drown out any distracting thoughts that many are
plagued with when they try to focus in silence. Not to mention, when you are
open to communicating (in all ways) it makes the being led part a bit more
smoother.
How thankful we are to have you dear God, in form of Father,
Son, and Spirit. We thank you for creating us, we thank you for giving us our
friends, and family. May we seek to know Your will more, may we seek to share
Your love with others. May we go the extra distance to spread the message of
salvation, may we have compassion for others. May Your desires, turn into our
desires, and may seek a closer relationship with You each and every day. In the
name of Jesus.
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