Kathi Pelton
Our family has a tiny dog that frightens easily. Whenever he becomes frightened by a loud noise or stranger he will run away and hide under a chair, sofa or table. We will immediately try to get to him in order to hold him, comfort him, and defend him, but he makes it very hard by running and hiding in a hard-to-reach place.
Many of God’s people are much like this. When the enemy comes to frighten them they run away from the One who is there to comfort and defend them rather than TO Him. He is calling to you who have been gripped with fear to come out of your hiding place. He will be your defender and your comforter. He is longing to lift you up from the pit of fear and hold you in His arms where no enemy can touch you.
It is in the refuge of His arms that you will learn to “be still.” Instead of your wrestle for self-preservation and self-defense, you will surrender to the stillness of knowing that He is God and He is your helper.
“You have made the Lord your defender, the Most High your protector, and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home.” Psalm 91:9-10
This is your promise and your legal right as a son or daughter of God. When I sense the enemy bringing a threat or assignment against my home or family, I know that it is illegally trespassing upon a promise given to me. This is the time that I run to the arms of my Defender so that He can deal with the approaching thief. My weapon of war becomes the stillness of trust and the surrender to His authority over all the battle.
“How I love you, Lord! You are my defender. The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. I call to the Lord, and he saves me from my enemies. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 18:1-3
The first Scripture I learned as a new believer thirty-five years ago was Psalm 23. If you study this portion of Scripture in the Hebrew language, you will find that throughout the verses the different names of God are used that declare who He is to us. Praying this Psalm with His names within it is a powerful tool to draw you out of hiding and back into His loving arms.
1. The Lord is my shepherd;
(Yehovah-Roi, my Protector)
I shall not want.
(Yehovah -Yireh, my Provider)
2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
(Yehovah– Adonai, my Master – our Sovereign Lord)
he leads me beside the still waters.
(Yehovah -Shalom – The Lord is my Peace)
3. He restores my soul:
(Yehovah– Rophi, my Healer)
he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(Yehovah – Tsidkenu , my Righteousness: meaning the Lord our Righteousness, Lord is there or the Lord is with me.)
4. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shades of death,
(Yehovah– Shammah, my Divine Presence/You are with me. Meaning: You are always with me.)
I will fear no evil: for you are with me;
(Yehovah – Tsebaoth, my Warrior: meaning our Lord will fight for you)
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Yehovah-El Elyon, my Defender – means: The Lord God Most High, or The Lord God, my Defender)
5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
(Yehovah – Nissi, my Encourager meaning: The Lord, my Banner or the Lord who rallies us to Himself. )
thou anointest my head with oil;
(Yehovah-Mekaddesh, my Righteousness or Sanctifier meaning: The Lord, my Sanctifier or the Lord makes me Righteous)
my cup overflows.
(Yehovah – El Shaddai, my Nourisher meaning: The Lord my Nourisher or our All-Sufficient, Extra Ordinary, Supernatural God)
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
(Yehovah – El Elohim , my Protector meaning: The Lord God is My Strong Protector. Also means our Eternal Creator)
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(Yehovah – El Olam, my Eternity meaning: The Lord God of Eternity or our Everlasting God. The Hebrew word “olam” can be translated either “eternity” or “secrets”. The LORD will take care of us forever as that is what Yehovah– El Olam stands for.)
Psalm 23:1-6
He is your defender and so much more.
Today is a day to come out of fear and come out of hiding. It is time to let Him be your Shepherd (protector) and watch how your “cup will overflow”.
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