Do you ever wonder why the person who cuts corners gets the promotion? Why one with no scruples lands the deal? Why do the promiscuous ones get the engagement ring? Why do the wicked ones prosper? The psalmist wondered the same thing.
Daily Devotion
Names of God
Names of God: Shield
Ancient armies had two types of shields. A large shield was carried in one hand for full body protection. An army could huddle together and raise these shields over their heads as a defensive barrier when fiery arrows were falling from the sky. The shield carried in the other hand was smaller and used for hand-to-hand combat or personal safety when rocks were hurled from the top of city walls. For the believer, God is our shield.
Names of God: Fortress
Fortresses were not built in the middle of the plains. Rather, they were built in high places, on top of or into the side of a mountain. So, with that background, check out today’s passage.
Names of God: Shelter
Sooner or later, everyone needs a safe place, a protected place—cover from a blasting storm. When the sleet of illness pelts your life, when the downpour of grief drenches your heart, when the winds of anxiety threaten to knock you down, you need a secret place, a hiding place to escape from those things threatening to knock the props from your life. You need the shelter of the Most High!
Names of God: King
The Israelites believed that Yahweh was their king-–in Hebrew, Melek. He was the ultimate authority over Israel and every nation on earth. He reigned in power and majesty. They believed the temple in Jerusalem was the earthly symbol of God’s heavenly throne. God was their Melek; they were his servants.
Names of God: The Lord Is My Shepherd
David spent much of his youth in the fields taking care of sheep. He led them through mountain valleys to find luscious green pastures. He made sure they had plenty of water. He protected them from wild animals. When a sheep strayed, he found it and brought it back to the safety of the flock. David knew what it meant to be a shepherd. Later in his life, when he became king of Israel, he reflected on the living God and wrote this psalm.
Names of God: The Holy One of Israel
The king of Assyria was furious. Hezekiah, Judah’s king, had rebelled against him. The Assyrian king sent a messenger with a to-the-point memo, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me’” (2 Kings 18:19-20)?
Names of God: Living God
King Hezekiah received troubling news. He learned that the king of Assyria was on his way to capture Hezekiah’s kingdom. When Hezekiah heard the report, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went to the temple to pray. God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and delivered Judah from the powerful Assyrian army. Today’s passage is Hezekiah’s response.
Names of God: The Name
King David was living in a palace. God’s “dwelling place” was a tent. There was something that was not quite right with that picture. David decided to build a great temple for God, but God said, “No.” He directed David to give the building assignment to his son, Solomon. Today’s passage takes place on the day that Solomon dedicated this great temple.
Names of God: Wonderful
It was difficult for her to grasp, much less believe. When you are well along in years and have no children, it is surprising for God to show up and promise you a son. So, when the woman who heard from God shared the news with her husband, he needed more proof. God revealed himself to Manoah in the form of an angel.
Names of God: The Lord is Peace
God wants you to experience peace. A deep, settled peace. An unexplainable peace. A continual peace that is experienced every day. A peace that is felt all the way to heaven. That peace can only be delivered by Yahweh Shalom. Let me set the context for today’s passage.
Names of God: Refuge
We all need a place of refuge. Life hits us hard and uproots what we thought was secure. Our strength is broken down. If we are fortunate, we huddle with others, but even then, no person can save us from the storm. Only One can.