Jehovah-rohi, my Shepherd

Today I want to share an excerpt from the book I am currently reading, Names of God, by Nathan Stone. This excerpt comes from the chapter explain God's name, Jehovah-rohi, meaning Jehovah my shepherd. For me, it is probably the character of God that has been most evident to me over the past few years. I pray that as you read this excerpt you too can get a greater appreciation of God as your shepherd and His ultimate plan for your life.

There were not only wolves and pitfalls for the sheep. There was another significant danger from which the shepherd protected them. As he went ahead his eye was ever on the alert for snakes whose sting was death, and with this staff he would crush their heads. So the great Shepherd, who has already sealed the serpent's doom, will deliver us from falling into his power. We are safe in the protection of His table spread before us even in the presence of the enemies. He knows everyone of His sheep by name. He knows the particular need of each one of us. He knows our peculiarities. He knows our weaknesses. Do we know His voice as we should? Do we trust Him and follow Him as we should? Is there the beautiful intimacy between us that there should be? Do we love the Shepherd's presence? Can we distinguish His voice from the voice of the wold I. Sheep's clothing who comes among us to wrest and wreck our faith?

And when we are sorely tried He will lead gently on. When we are weary and wounded He will anoint our heads and heal our wounds and refresh us with tender care. As His sheep we are led by many a way. Sometimes the path is throughout fresh green meadows; sometimes over rough, steep, rocky paths, perhaps through dark places where the sun scarcely shines. But we are ever being led to one place. After the heat and burden of the day, He gathers us into the fold,where there is no more fear of wolf or thief and where all is sweet repose and safety. And then we know that whatever the sufferings and sorrows, and trials and terrors of the day, His goodness and loving-kindness followed us.

So The Lord Jesus, our Jehovah-Rohi, will lead us into that final fold and rest "before the throne of God" where, John says, they "serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd." (Revelation 7:15-17). So we "shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever." (page 174-175)

God is our Shepherd, and as this excerpt said, we are ever being led to one place. It is so easy to forget about our ultimate destination as we get caught up in our circumstances here on earth. So lets take some time today to be still and meditate on that promise for our lives from Revelation 7:15-17.

For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple); and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:15-17 AMP