Victory in His Name

VICTORY IN HIS NAME!

Tehillim/Psalm 20

Shabbat Shalom, praise be unto יהוה our Elohim, it is good to praise and esteem the Name that saves!!! Can you give a shout of praise unto Him…HalleluYah! How many of you have realised that life is full of battles? How many of you recognise and know that in this world you will face trouble? How many of you are currently facing some tough battles or struggles? Battles that are staring you in the face! What do you do? Following on from our understanding of our Wilderness Journey that we touched on last week in our Torah portion, as well as the battles we must face and endure as we claim and walk in the Promises in Messiah, I want us tonight to look at a beautiful Psalm that can be regarded as a battle song of praise before the battle – a war cry in other words, and by doing so looking at the wonderful name of our Creator, in a message called, “Victory in His Name”. Please turn with me to Tehillim/Psalm 20 (Read).

This is such a beautiful psalm of praise and in essence, this and Tehillim/Psalm 21 go hand in hand – this one can be seen as the prayer and intercession before the battle whereas 21 in the rejoicing after the battle, but for tonight I want to look at Tehillim 20 and break it down a little in understanding who our Victorious Saviour is, and that it is imperative that we never go into any battle without Him!

This song is a battle song, for whenever we are facing any battle, yet it can also be seen as an end time deliverance song as we understand much of the prophetic language being used herein.

I would like to run through some key words used throughout this song that can give us greater insight in to what is being written here and what power that this song carries for us not only for what is to come but for every day as we face life’s battles.

In verse 1 we see such a clear and wonderful promise given to the king that may be as a plea and cry for help as he was about to go into battle. There is no better encouragement than hearing and knowing that יהוה hears your cry in times of trouble! The world used here for ‘distress’ is צָרָה ‘tsarah’ H6869 which means, ‘affliction, anguish, distress, trouble, tightness’ and is from the root word that can mean ‘adversary, enemy, foe’ and this word here is also translated as tribulation – the day of Ya’aqoḇ’s trouble. So as we know that during the tribulation, we who are in Messiah have this wonderful promise! יהוה will defend those who ‘know’ the Elohim of Ya’aqoḇ!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:3 “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands.”

The Name of יהוה is our defence – the Hebrew word used for the term ‘set you on high’ or in other translations as ‘defend’ or ‘protect’ is שָׂגַב ‘sagab’ H7682 and means ‘to set securely on high, safe, lifted up high, inaccessibly high – by implication of being safe from danger and set on high’. A derivative of this word is used in Scripture as ‘refuge’.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 18:10 “The Name of יהוה is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 91:14-15 “Because he cleaves to Me in love, therefore I deliver him; I set him on high, because he has known My Name. 15 “When he calls on Me, I answer him; I am with him in distress; I deliver him and esteem him.”

Verse 2 we are told that יהוה will send us help from the Set-Apart place to uphold us – this speaks of how he also uses each and every one of us in strengthening one another in battle. The Set-Apart place refers to His Temple – the place where He resides, for from within we are strengthened! We are the temple of the Set-Apart Spirit and he sends us help in our time of need by giving us the means to encourage and uphold or strengthen each other in tough and trying times. Do not neglect the necessity for community and fellowship, for it is from within the body that much strengthening comes from as He, the Head equips and sends!

Verse 3 reminds us that יהוה does remember our worship and our offerings and this speaks of our worship. The two words used for offerings are minchâh for offerings and ‛ôlâh for burnt offerings and both of these were voluntary offerings and are given as gifts and an act of worship. The word for prayer and offering are similar and it means to "draw near" or to approach יהוה. We draw near to יהוה through our prayers and this verse compliments the previous verse where we need to nourish ourselves through worshipping יהוה, refreshing His heart. David asked יהוה to "remember", remember is the word "zâkar" that means: to mark, remember, to be recognised, to mention. יהוה will seal His people in the last days and they will be remembered by Him in the time of Trouble.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:4-5 “Drawing near to Him, a living Stone – rejected indeed by men, but chosen by Elohim and precious – 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up, a spiritual house, a set-apart priesthood, to offer up spiritual slaughter offerings acceptable to Elohim through יהושע Messiah.”

"Remember" is first used in Scripture in Berěshith/Genesis 8:1 where Noaḥ and his family were saved in the time of Judgment and יהוה remembered them and let the waters subside so that He can start an "new beginning" through Noaḥ and his generation. In the same way יהוה will save His people and remember them after the time of Judgement and He will start a "New Beginning" after Judgment through His Bride and their generations. יהוה chose Noah in the first place because he was perfect in his generation meaning that he and his children were following יהוה. In the same way He will save His people who are ‘perfecting set-apartness’ in their generation, following Him and teaching their children and "spiritual children" of Him offering slaughter offerings acceptable to Him as we are being built up as living stones together in Him.

In verse 4 Dawiḍ is declaring how יהוה will fill all our plans and give us the desires of our heart – this is important to realise that this is not some selfish approach that thinks that יהוה is there to give in to the demands and wishes of people. His plans and His desires become our desires and He knows the plans He has for us, from before we were born and He is the One who will fulfil those plans as we follow wholeheartedly after Him and march forward in Victory knowing that He fights for us:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the boldness that we have in Him, that if we ask whatever according to His desire, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Going into battle Dawiḍ knew where His help comes from and by verse 5 he is declaring with faith that He sings of the deliverance that יהוה brings to His servants. He is raising a victory war cry and holding the Name of יהוה up high.

Listen we will make it through any battle IF we stay in Him and walk according to His will! A banner signifies under whose authority you march and just as it is even today with schools during an inter house sports day where each house will raise a banner depicting which house they belong to and gives them a clear identity separating them from the rest. Countries march behind/under their respective banners at world sport events and so what we see here is that we as children of the Most High go set up a banner in the Name of our Elohim – it is all about His Name – it is what separates us from the rest and gives us our identity! Without His name we cannot go out and think that we can march behind or under Him, and sadly many today have made false banners which explains the lack of true lasting victory in their lives!

Marching under a banner also signifies what you represent! Let me ask you – when you face life’s daily battles – whose banner do you march under – do you represent the True body of Messiah in every deal, in every word, action or thought?

Miḵah/Micah 4:5 “For all the peoples walk, each one in the name of his mighty one, but we walk in the Name of יהוה our Elohim forever and ever.”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of יהושע Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Tehillim/Psalm 60:4 “You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it might be lifted up Because of the truth. Selah.”

יהוה is our banner, may we encouraged to represent well that which His Name represents for there is no safer banner to be under than that of יהוה! To set up a banner is the word דָּגַל ‘dagal’ H1713 that means" to raise a flag, to be conspicuous - open to the eye, to reveal, manifest, clearly known’. If we set up banners in the Name of our Elohim that means that we will reveal and make known His Name for all to see so that all the nations will know Who is the One we follow and Who is the One Who give the victory and Who is the One Who Judges. יהוה wants His Name to be proclaimed and to be known and it is we who are to set up the banner of praise unto Him!

Verse 6 Dawiḍ declares such bold confidence in יהוה, in declaring that he knows first-hand that יהוה is the only One that saves! This is the Name we are to proclaim as a banner – for there is only One Name that saves – יהוה saves or as written here in the text: הוֹשִׁיעַ יהוה(Hoshěa Yahweh – Hoshěa meaning salvationSaviour) or better known to us as יהושע (Yahushua) = יהוה (YHWH) is our Saviour. Salvation is worked through the might of His right hand! We know in Hebrew that ‘right hand’ signifies one’s strength and is the working power of a person. The Right hand of יהוה has worked Salvation for us! The Word for right hand is יָמִין (yā∙mîn) and is first used in BerěshithGenesis 13:9 when Aḇraham gave Lot the choice of which land he wanted – if Lot went to the left he would go to the right and vice versa. Lot chose the well watered gardens of Seḏom and Amorah and travelled east. And what we can learn from this is that יהוה has given us a clear choice – to go to the left in a sense and choose the well watered gardens that represent comfort and satisfaction in the flesh or to the right – to the dry Wilderness that is dependent upon יהוה for rain and provision – we have a choice – call upon His Name – His Right Hand that works salvation or choose to go it on our own! Many sadly choose the well watered gardens located in the valley of the Yardĕn (cast downfall) at the gates of Seḏom (burntscorch).They choose what physically is more appealing and looks best at where you can fulfil your fleshly desires. Just as it was only Lot and his daughters who made it out – so too will there only be few who make it as escaping the fire, but those who choose the ‘right hand’ – those יהוה saves!

Verse 7 supports the fact that we need to use יהוה's Name as a banner and proclaim His Name and remember His Name; then we will have the victory above those who trust in man and armies to protect them. It is in His name that we are risen and established and in His name that our enemies are brought low and are destroyed – we have the assurance that when we call upon His Name He hears us!

What is crucial for us to understand is that without His Name there is no salvation! Yisra’ĕl could not leave Mitsrayim until they had heard His Name and accepted His Name by placing the Blood on their doorposts – in a sense that is a raising of a banner of His Name – for then they could be led out of Mitsrayim!

So many today are still trapped in Mitsrayim so to speak as they have not embraced the Name that saves – and there is only One Name and it is not G-O-D or L-O-R-D or J-E-S-U-S – it is יהוה!

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:11-13 “And I saw the heaven opened, and there was a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Trustworthy and True, and in righteousness He judges and fights. 12 And His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, having a Name that had been written, which no one had perceived except Himself 13 and having been dressed in a robe dipped in blood – and His Name is called: The Word of יהוה.”

Listen if you have not already realised then realise now – it is all about His Name:

Yo’ĕl/Joel 2:32 “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the Name of יהוה shall be delivered.”

Perhaps you have been facing or are facing some pretty tough battles – who do you call on? Do you set up a banner in the Name of Elohim? Do you recognize that the Elohim of Ya’aqoḇ is the one who defends you? The acknowledgement of His Name and the need to walk in Him is crucial to our survival – and we must most certainly sing unto Him with great joy, knowing that we walk in the victorious procession of Messiah as He fights for us – praise His Name, aměn!

What יהוה in a brief description means is simply this – That He is the One who causes me to be – The Great I AM – the very One that gives existence causes me to be and this we proclaim every time we make mention His Name – now wonder the enemy has done his best to bring the Name of יהוה to nought! Let us proclaim His Name, revere His Name, worship His Name and proclaim His Name and see just how He will bring the victory in the battles of life!

It is with His Name in mind that I thought it best to share with you some of His titles or what can be called compound titles as well as some of His compound Names as we see mentioned in the Word, so that we gain a greater understanding of the One who causes us to be and who delivers us:

I trust that by now you have grasped the understanding that we are not to be silent in regards to declaring who has given us life, but rather we are to speak His Name. I would also like to briefly mention some of the titles we find in Scripture which reveal the great character and greatness of YHWH. These are only a few, in order that you may grasp just how Awesome is יהוה our Elohim and cause you to dig in to His Word and discover great pearls of great treasure in growing in intimacy and knowledge of YHWH – the Mighty One who causes you to be!

Let’s go through some of these ‘titles’:

1 – ĔL – אל - As discussed earlier this means “Mighty One”

2 – ĔL ĔLYON – עליוֹן אל - ĔL Most High –Berěshith/Genesis 14:19: “And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Aḇram of the Most High ĔL, Possessor of the heavens and earth.”

3 - ĔL ĔMET – אמת אל - ĔL of Truth –Tehillim/Psalm 31:5: “Into your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O יהוה ĔL of truth.”

4 – ĔL ŠADDAY (El Shaddai) - שדי אל – Almighty ĔL –Berěshith/Genesis 48:3: “And Yaʽaqoḇ said to Yosĕph, “Ĕl Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in the land of Kenaʽan and blessed me”

5 – ĔL GIBBOR – גבוד אל - ĔL the Heroic – A name that is used to speak of Elohim’s power and might, ‘gibbor’ giving reference to mighty and heroic men, The two terms together always refer to Elohim and in Isaiah/Yeshayahu 9:6 it gives reference to the Messiah: “For a Child is born unto us, a Son is given us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ĕl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace.”

6 – ĔL DĔ’OT – אל דעות - ĔL of Knowledge – 1 Samuel/Shemuʼĕl Aleph 2:3 “Do not multiply words so proudly, proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for יהוה is an ĔL of knowledge, and by Him deeds are weighed.”

7 – ĔL HAKĀBÔD – הכבוד אל - ĔL of Esteem – Psalm/Tehillim 29:3 “The voice of יהוה is over the waters; the Ĕl of esteem thunders; יהוה is over many waters.”

8 – ĔL ’OLĀM – עוֹלם אל - ĔL of Eternity – Genesis/Berěshith 21:33 “And he planted a tamarisk tree in Be’ĕrsheḇa, and there called on the Name of יהוה, the Everlasting Ĕl.”

9 – ĔL TS̠ADDÎQ – צדיק אל - Righteous ĔL – Isaiah/Yeshayahu 45:21 “Declare and bring near, let them even take counsel together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has declared it from that time? Is it not I, יהוה? And there is no mighty one besides Me, a righteous Ĕl and a Saviour, there is none besides Me.”

10 – ĔL QANNĀ – קנא אל - Jealous ĔL – Exodus/Shemoth 20:5-6 “you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, יהוה your Elohim am a jealous Ĕl, visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing loving commitment to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands.”

11 – ĔL ḤAY –חי אל - Living ĔL – Joshua/Yehoshua 3:10 “And Yehoshua said, “By this you shall know that the living Ĕl is in your midst, and that He is certainly driving out from before you the Kenaʽanites and the Ḥittites and the Ḥiwwites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Yeḇusites:”

The above mentioned are just a few of the compound titles that certainly reveal much of the great and wonderful character of יהוה our Elohim. The reason I want you to see these terms is to simply help you understand just how complex and set apart is the Name and Person of יהוה.

If you are like me, by now you are most probably just so taken aback by the wonder of some of the titles we find in the pages of His Word, that just cause us to begin to understand on a greater level just who He is. Now let us take a look at some names that are used for יהוה as each one combines a great character trait with His Name:

1 – יהוה -TSEVAOTH – צבאות יהוה – YHWH of Hosts – Mighty One of Hosts – 1 Samuel/ Shemuʼĕl Aleph 1:3 “Now this man went up from his city year by year to worship and to slaughter to יהוה of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Ěli, Ḥophni and Pineḥas, the priests of יהוה, were there.”

This compound name is the most frequently used in Scripture. The word translated as ‘host’ is often used in the Torah when referring to the armies of Yisra’ĕl, as the word is derived from the verb, ‘tsâbâ’ which means ‘to wage war’, and can also mean, ‘to serve’ when used in reference to service at the tabernacle. It is used mostly in the books of the prophets, in referring to ‘armies’, when יהוה’s people had suffered greatly, either at the hands of their enemies armies or were under threat. This Name would remind them that יהוה is the El of armies, He has armies of angels, known as ministering servants that serve Him. They could, and so can we today, call on the יהוה of Hosts – the very One who would fights for us - what a wonderful and powerful name we have to call upon in times of battle!!!

2 – יהוה NISSI – נס אני יהוה – YHWH is my Banner – Exodus/Shemoth 17:15 “And Mosheh built a slaughter-place and called its name, יהוה Nissi.”

This was when Yehoshua had victory against Amalĕq when Aharon and Ḥur lifted up the hands of Mosheh!

3 – יהוה RAPHA – דפאך יהוה – “Rapha” = “Healer” – יהוה is my healer! – Exodus/Shemoth 15:26 “And He said, “If you diligently obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim and do what is right in His eyes, and shall listen to His commands and shall guard all His laws, I shall bring on you none of the diseases I brought on the Mitsrites, for I am יהוה who heals you.”

Although this name is only used once, יהוה is always called upon as the One who forgives sins and heals diseases. There is healing in the Name of יהוה. I find this text very strengthening and challenging. When we walk in the Word – that is to walk in יהושע Messiah – the Living Word – then we can be assured of the promise of being able to call upon the One who heals all!

4 – יהוה RO’EH – רעה יהוה – “Ro-eh” = “my shepherd” – YHWH is my Shepherd! – Psalm/Tehillim 23:1 “יהוה is my shepherd; I do not lack.”

When we think of what the Word says, in that יהושע is the Good Shepherd then we can fully understand just how He takes care of us the sheep of His pasture. We know His voice, or at least we ought to! We know that in Him we lack nothing, for He leads us to water and provides for us our daily bread. He protects us from the enemy and watches over us while we sleep. יהוה is our Shepherd!

5 – יהוה YIREH – יראה יהוה – “Yireh” = “to see ahead or to provide” – YHWH is my provider! – Genesis/Berěshith 22:14 “And Aḇraham called the name of the place, ‘יהוה Yireh,’ as it is said to this day, “On the mountain יהוה provides.”

Wow, what an amazing declaration of Truth – יהוה certainly did provide on the mountain. As a foreshadow of the Messiah, being the sacrifice provided for the sins of man, יהוה provided a substitute for Yitsḥaq, whom Aḇraham was to offer as a sacrifice to Elohim. This is a wonderful compound Name that certainly strengthens us as we obediently walk in His guidance and know that even at the last second, יהוה provides, for His timing is always perfect. יהוה provided the atonement for our sins by His own Blood, and He still provides us daily with all that we need and more, and that is why יהושע could teach us that we must not worry – for יהוה YIREH!

6 – יהוה SHALOM – שלום יהוה – “Shalom” = “peace”. YHWH is peace! – Judges/Shophetim 6:24 “And Giḏ‛on built a slaughter-place there to יהוה, and called it: יהוה Shalom. To this day it is still in Orpah of the Aḇi‛ezerites.”

Shalom – there is so much more to this word than meets the eye. It carries with it the meaning of completeness, soundness, welfare and peace. It speaks of security, health, prosperity and tranquillity. The general meaning behind this word is to be complete and fulfilled, to enter into a state of wholeness and unity, to be restored in relationship. When we can truly declare יהוה Shalom, then we are able to be at ease, be calm and unaffected by the worries of the world, and be able to walk in true kindness. YHWH has given us His peace, we are to walk in it and give it to others!!!

7 – יהוה TṢIḎQĒNÛ – צדקנו יהוה – “YHWH is our righteousness” – Jeremiah/Yirmeyahu 23:6 “In His days Yehuḏah shall be saved, and Yisra’ĕl dwell in safety. And this is His Name whereby He shall be called: ‘יהוה our Righteousness.’”

Here Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah is pronouncing that Elohim will raise up to Dawiḍ a King who would be a Righteous Branch of the Dawiḍic line. יהושע is the fulfilment of this prophecy. As King He will rule and reign wisely and do what is just and right. Although יהושע offered Himself as Yisra’ĕl’s Messiah at His first coming, the fulfilment of this prophecy awaits His second coming before His millennial reign. The Name of this coming King will be ‘יהוה our Righteousness’, and unlike Zedekiah which means ‘my righteousness is יהוה, יהושע, our coming King, will live up to His Name as Yisra’ĕl’s Righteous ĔL!

The above are just some of the compound names of יהוה that we find in Scripture. By putting these before you, it is my prayer and hope that you will clearly begin to understand and see the wonder of the Name of the Almighty. His Name is worthy to be praised and we are to learn that we cannot substitute, in any way, other titles or names that are not related to what the Scriptures have given us in their original form.

And it is in His name that we can walk victorious as we encounter many battles on our sojourning here – so my challenge and encouragement to you is to continue to walk in and call upon His Mighty Name for:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 4:13 “I have strength to do all, through Messiah who empowers me.”

Qolasim/Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Master יהושע, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him.”

THERE IS VICTORY IN HIS NAME!

As I close realise and know that there is victory in His name and let me do as His Word declares: that this is how His Name is to be put upon His people:

יהוה bless you and guard you;

יהוה make His face shine upon you, and show favour to you;

יהוה lift up His face upon you, and give you peace.