My Refuge and My Fortress, My God in Whom I Trust
We’re in Week 20 of Ann Spangler’s Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks. This week, it’s more of a laundry list than a name – so many good promises one name can’t contain them all.
Dwelling Place – Refuge – Shield – Fortress – Strong Tower
the Hebrew transliteration:
Maon, Machseh, Magen, Metsuda, Migdal-Oz
What wonderful promises. Two of them can be found in Psalm 91
Whoever lives under the shelter of Elyon
will remain in the shadow of Shadday.
I will say to Yahweh,
“You are my Machseh and my Metsuda, my Elohim in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2, Names of God version
Perhaps the NASB will be more familiar –
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
El Shadday’s fortress is no dark, dank dungeon. It’s not a prison where we’re held captive.
We’ve talked about types before. They’re promise shaped patterns. Yahweh is our fortress, but he’s not made of brick or stone. We take refuge in the shadow of his wings, but he’s not a chicken.
Our refuge is impenetrable by enemies on the outside, but within, it’s full of life and light and the presence of El Chay, the Living God. – Photo credits Pixabay
As you contemplate what it means to dwell in the shadow of El Shadday, let this song from Shane and Shane bless you.
Psalm 91 has always been the go-to Pslam for me when facing fear or apprehension about some possible future event, since it contains the words Almighty, Refuge, Fortress…or to use the Hebrew words you provided- Shadday, Machseh, Metsuda.
Just curious, when you define a “type” or “shadow” to be a “promise shaped pattern”, would that essentially be a metaphor that points to fulfillment in something much greater…e.g…..Fortress points to Yahweh….Sheltering Wings points to Yahwehs protection…etc
Yes! Check out this post -https://carolynejacobs.com/names-of-god/whats-the-shape-of-a-promise/ . But they’re often much more literal like the “snake on a stick.” Jesus became sin and was lifted up on the cross. We could have never imagined that the bronze serpent would be a type pointing to our salvation, but we can Monday morning quarterback it now and see it clearly.