Shepherd

A seascape after sunset. Just north of Cabo da Roca, Portugal by Rnbc

Good morning, beloved,

I woke up earlier than usual today. I woke up to the song again.  And I found the version to share with you!

Then Biblegateway’s verses of the day made me smile ( I think God likes it very much when we give thanks, what do you think?)

Psalm 136: ¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. ¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. ²⁶ O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

Crepuscular rays, and their reflection. The image was taken in Golden Gate Park,San Francisco at Mallard Lake. by Brocken Inaglory

Did you notice a theme in the three verses? Mercy and loving-kindness.  I want to tell you something. If you look, you will see these two attributes all over your life. You have to train your eye to be looking, but you can find it and so can I.  Here are my next three, and by the way, I’m loving those who shared with me yesterday. What an encouragement!

4. I’m thankful for friends and family who read this blog and comment and love me to read to the end.

5. I’m thankful for coffee to sip while I study His Word in the quiet.

6. I’m thankful for the pain because in the pain, I understand His suffering just a bit and I love Him all the more for all the pain and agony He endured on our behalf.

How about you? What are you thankful for today? Write it down. Have your kids write it down. Ask your spouse. Let’s look at another name of God from the Blue Letter Bible.

The Lord My Shepherd

(yeh-ho-vaw’ raw-aw’)

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah-Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) is used in Psalm 23.

Variant spellings: Jehovah Rohi; Jehovah Ro’eh

TWOT Reference: 2185, 2186

Strong’s Reference:7462

Jehovah-Raah in the Septuagint:kurios poimainei me…the Lord shepherds me

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.”

Further references of the name Jehovah-Raah in the Old Testament:Gen 48:15; Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1

(yeh-ho-vaw’ raw-aw’)
The Lord My Shepherd

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah-Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) is used in Psalm 23.

Variant spellings: Jehovah Rohi; Jehovah Ro’eh

TWOT Reference: 2185, 2186

Strong’s Reference:7462

Jehovah-Raah in the Septuagint:kurios poimainei me…the Lord shepherds me

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.”

Further references of the name Jehovah-Raah in the Old Testament:Gen 48:15; Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1

Here are those verses that point to our LORD as the Shepherd:

Genesis 48: ¹⁵ Then [Jacob] blessed Joseph and said, God [Himself], before Whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac lived and walked habitually, God [Himself], Who has [been my Shepherd and has led and] fed me from the time I came into being until this day…

We can say the same. He leads us. He feeds us. He has been our Shepherd for the time I came into being and you too!

Genesis 49: ²⁴ But his bow remained strong and steady and rested in the Strength that does not fail him, for the arms of his hands were made strong and active by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel…

Rested in the Strength that does not fail Him. Oh, my, thank You Lord for being my Strength. Thank you that we can rest and know You will never fail. God who makes us strong and active. Mighty God, Shepherd, Rock…

Psalm 23: ¹ The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

I bet that is familiar to you.  When I think back on all the times I have stressed about finances, about feeding my family, about this worry or that, I cannot forget the exorbitant number of times that the Lord has provided, cared for, guided, shielded my family. Too many times to count..

Shepherd by JdeFrodo

This Christmas season, I was considering for my Bible study with my kids reviewing the story of Christmas as usual when as I was praying about it, the Lord, I’m sure of it, prompted me to consider another way. We are going to spend the month of December searching the Old Testament for prophecies about Jesus. I’m very, very excited.

Psalm 80: ¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock; You Who sit enthroned upon the cherubim [of the ark of the covenant], shine forth.

Lead us, Lord. Draw us close to You this day. Father, Shepherd, lead us as we go about our day. Prompt us, and may we hear Your voice calling us to do Your good work this day. May people see Your light shine forth in us. May we be a blessing for life to those whom we come into contact with this day.  We praise You and thank You for being our Shepherd, always.

Pray on. Pray on.

Related articles

• Jehovah – It is not just a name. (thechurchatcarrollton.wordpress.com)
• My Jehovah Jireh Experiences (jesuslikespizza.wordpress.com)
• Psalm 136. A Hymn Of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving To God For His Enduring Mercy (bummyla.wordpress.com)
• Prepared for the Journey {Jehovah Raah} (simplystriving.wordpress.com)
• Give Thanks unto YaHuWaH- Psalm 136 (endtimelect.com)