Glimpses of God - part 4 – Protector and Vanguard
Glenn Garvin
October 22, 2023
BIG IDEA – God does shepherd us and rally on our behalf.
Scripture focus - Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”
INTRODUCTION
We want to know that somewhere out there,
When we don’t
God declares, He is our
Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord Our Shepherd
Isaiah writes, He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, ana carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young (Isaiah 40:11)
Both the
The nature of sheep
• Sheep do not
• Sheep will put themselves in
• Sheep are prone to become infested with
• They have no
• Sheep will
In physical characteristics, we are NOT like sheep.
• As humans, we can
• Most of us don’t put ourselves in mortal danger,
• We can keep ourselves fairly free of bugs, vermin or
• We have fairly good
• And, when it comes to picking fights with each other – we absolutely share similar sheep-traits there.
But we are far more than just physical beings! We are also
• Alone, we find it difficult if not
• We often put ourselves into
• We do a horrible job of keeping ourselves
• And we are absolutely lousy at being
• And yes, when it comes to being quick to judge, quick to blame and quick to bicker over silly things – we are exactly like sheep!
God used the shepherd/sheep illustration and
He wants us to know that there is Someone who cares more than anyone on earth cares, and who knows exactly what to do in every circumstance.
God wants us to feel
God reminds us, “Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3
Where does Jesus show up as Jehovah Rohi? Jesus speaking and teaching on sheep.
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” John 10:3-5
QUESTION: What was Jesus saying about believers and Himself in these verses?
(fill in your answer by clicking BLUE SQUARE –>)
QUESTION: According to John 10:11, why is Jesus the Good Shepherd?
(fill in your answer by clicking BLUE SQUARE –>)
Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd
Another place where Jesus uses the shepherd object lesson.
Matthew writes in Matthew 9:35-38, “When he saw the crowds, he had
Let’s quickly look at one more of the names of God.
YHWH-NISSI- Yahweh Our Banner
The Amalekite Battle
The story is simple, yet oddly amazing.
Just before the Amalekite battle, there is the familiar cycle of complaint to Moses, blaming him for the lack of water in the desert. God does another miracle after telling Moses to strike a rock.
Then, Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?” Exodus 17:7 NLT
Soon after the Amalekites start attacking.
Moses sends Joshua out to fight, but he heads up the hill with his rod, his former snake-staff in his hands. This was the same Red Sea splitting, rock striking stick Moses carried with him. He called it the “Staff of God.” Nice ring to it, right?
Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” Exodus 17:8-13
They won the battle and once again Moses is compelled to name the place, marking the memory and the story of God’s power and victory for millions to read about throughout eternity!
He calls the place, Jehovah Nissi - The Lord my banner! Exodus 17:15
QUESTION: Where is your Nissi?
(fill in your answer by clicking BLUE SQUARE –>)
QUESTION: How should we recognize and give honor to God for showing up?
(fill in your answer by clicking BLUE SQUARE –>)
Where does Jesus show up as Jehovah-Nissi?
Where does he show up and become a banner, a beacon of hope – a rally-point of victory?
QUESTION: Which New Testament story do you recall where there was a battle, a struggle, a terrifying moment of fear and despair – and Jesus became the banner of God?
(fill in your answer by clicking BLUE SQUARE –>)
One of my favorites is the battle for Jairus’s daughter’s life.
In Mark 5:35-43, Mark writes about Jarius asking Jesus to come and heal his daughter, but there is an
Can you imagine this happening to you as a father? There was a delay! You were too late. Now, you were not there when she died and your plan didn’t work.
Arriving at the house Jesus’ calmly walks through the cries of pain and asks a strange question, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” He wasn’t just trying to lighten the
Moments later, Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our banner, our vanguard, our rally-point holds her hand and speaks the words, “Little girl, get up!” Death itself is forced to obey and forfeit its grip on the girl.
If God be for us, who can be against us! Romans 8:31
Are you lost and hurting today? Have you wandered off into darkness? Have you opened a door to temptation, you wish you had never opened? Are you overwhelmed with spiritual parasites that are sucking the life out of you? The Lord God Rohi – Our Shepherd, is calling you’re name.
Are you in a battle that is bigger than you can handle? Do you feel fear, death and anxiety breathing its lies in the dark of night? If you are overwhelmed and feel yourself sinking. The Lord God Nissi – Our Banner is here to rally to be your vanguard, your strength to overcome and win!
Hear the words of Jesus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” Just believe.
QUESTIONS FOR LIFE GROUP
Q: What was Jesus saying about believers and Himself in John 10:3-5?
Q: According to John 10:11, why is Jesus the Good Shepherd?
Q: Where is your Nissi out of Exodus 17:15?
Q: How should we recognize and give honor to God for showing up?
Q: Which New Testament story do you recall where there was a battle, a struggle, a terrifying moment of fear and despair – and Jesus became the banner of God?
Q: In Mark 5:35-43 can you imagine this happening to you as a father? How would you feel? What would you do?
Study notes for you to dig in for yourself!