Deuteronomy 33:29
“Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. …”
It’s wonderful how our God has many names. I’m taking a minute this evening to remember Jehovah Chereb, which means “the Lord, the sword” or “the Lord, sharp blade.”
A sword, a weapon with a long, sharp blade attached to a handle, is used for cutting or thrusting. Amazingly, the Lord would also be known in this context considering the other gentler ways he’s defined in character.
What’s interesting is when thinking about our Father’s mercy, kindness, and gentleness, we must also remember how righteous, powerful, and just he is. He is perfect in all of these things and more. As such, the Bible also describes him as one mighty in battle, our defense, who avenges and is a God of recompense. (Psalm 24:8, Psalm 89:18, Psalm 99:8, Jeremiah 51:56)
We also recognize a sword’s use in military power, authority, punitive justice, death, destruction, war, combat, slaughter, or violence. Historically, the Bible shows us God’s involvement in the use of these things when protecting his people or purposes.
Another way we see God related to a sword is his word in Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” “ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
As we pray, we should remember to leave in God’s hands what he does best, which is everything. He doesn’t ask us to take on more than we can. Though He’s blessed us with many gifts and abilities, we should remember those attributes of His authority that far exceed ours. We don’t have to carry as a burden the hard things that life presents to us. He tells us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us. (Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7)
God reveals our responsibilities in life but also makes his responsibilities clear. These are amazing things to ponder–his promises regarding how he chooses to relate to us. Studying his character in the Bible produces more confidence in his care for us and helps us to rest when seemingly unfortunate things happen that we have no control over. We can rest in the reality that “… all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
In the meantime, we make our requests known to our heavenly Father and remain “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12), knowing He will handle everything according to his great wisdom and love. Seeing his hand in action in our lives produces further growth in our faith as God creates an astounding history of his willingness to come through for us when we need him most.
So, if any of you are wondering if any of this still applies to you today, please remember this spiritual truth of Galatians 3:26-29: “ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
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More helpful reading:
Exodus 14:14
2 Chronicles 20:15
Deuteronomy 1:29-30
Deuteronomy 3:22
Isaiah 54:17
Psalm 35:1
1 Corinthians 15:57
Ephesians 6:10-12
Philippians 4:13
Luke 10:19
Romans 8:31-39
Ms. Rita's Minute 