THE GOD WHO HAS OUR BACK
After reflecting on Psalms 105:1-15, the covenantal God came to mind. I was looking for Jehovah something that literally says, “the God who has our back”. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday season, how much more, even beyond the thanksgiving portion of our prayers, should we consider the goodness of God to His children.
The analogy of a shepherd in earthly terms is a person committed to a flock, usually sheep, and the responsible for guiding the sheep, protecting them, and attending to their needs. Another level regards parents with a commitment to raising, housing, feeding and teaching their children. Yet another level is the pastor of a local congregation, who as a shepherd, demonstrates commitment to the teaching of the Word of God and well-being of other people.
Ultimately, there is the Chief Shepherd described in 1 Peter 5:4, is also the I AM of Exodus 3:14, who was, is and is to come. Unlike the aforementioned shepherds, this one not only protects but
1. Knew of the danger before it occurred
2. Decreed that it would happen
3. Protected you through the trial
4. Provided weapons of warfare needed in the trial
5. Performed miracles to prove His strength in the trial
6 Rewarded you after coming out of the trial
Ultimately it was not about us but to bring God glory because it was not about our strength. How does a sheep protect itself? Usually by being a little faster that the one behind it but it has no real defense mechanism.
Our heavenly shepherd has even more attributes. Israel has a future by covenant, but we have a future to be thankful for by the same covenantal God as written in Romans 11:25-26:
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
Moreover, we have a Priest who represents us before God the Father (Hebrews 4:15), a Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14) a Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and a Savior (2 Samuel 22:47; Luke1:47).
We have much to be thankful for because God the Father, through His Son Jesus the Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit has ushered us into the Kingdom, not by our power but what He has provided. Nothing will happen to us until the Lord has completed the work He has for us in this life. Let the season of rejoicing begin!
The analogy of a shepherd in earthly terms is a person committed to a flock, usually sheep, and the responsible for guiding the sheep, protecting them, and attending to their needs. Another level regards parents with a commitment to raising, housing, feeding and teaching their children. Yet another level is the pastor of a local congregation, who as a shepherd, demonstrates commitment to the teaching of the Word of God and well-being of other people.
Ultimately, there is the Chief Shepherd described in 1 Peter 5:4, is also the I AM of Exodus 3:14, who was, is and is to come. Unlike the aforementioned shepherds, this one not only protects but
1. Knew of the danger before it occurred
2. Decreed that it would happen
3. Protected you through the trial
4. Provided weapons of warfare needed in the trial
5. Performed miracles to prove His strength in the trial
6 Rewarded you after coming out of the trial
Ultimately it was not about us but to bring God glory because it was not about our strength. How does a sheep protect itself? Usually by being a little faster that the one behind it but it has no real defense mechanism.
Our heavenly shepherd has even more attributes. Israel has a future by covenant, but we have a future to be thankful for by the same covenantal God as written in Romans 11:25-26:
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
Moreover, we have a Priest who represents us before God the Father (Hebrews 4:15), a Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14) a Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and a Savior (2 Samuel 22:47; Luke1:47).
We have much to be thankful for because God the Father, through His Son Jesus the Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit has ushered us into the Kingdom, not by our power but what He has provided. Nothing will happen to us until the Lord has completed the work He has for us in this life. Let the season of rejoicing begin!
by Gregg McKinney, Deacon
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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