Name of God: Jehovah Magen
THE LORD MY SHIELD
Psalm 3:3: But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Devotional
Throughout Scripture, we see that God reveals Himself through many different names. These are names that reflect His character and His heart toward His people. One of those names is Jehovah Magen, which means “The LORD is my Shield.” This name speaks not only of God’s power, but of His nearness—His willingness to stand between His people and whatever threatens them.
Let’s think a little more closely about the nature of a shield. A shield is personal. It’s not just a distant wall or an abstract defense system. A shield is something to be carried, to be held, and positioned intentionally in the heat of battle. When David calls the LORD his shield, he is not saying that trouble disappears—he is saying that God places Himself between David and destruction.
In Psalm 3, David is writing about a time he was fleeing from his own son Absalom. His enemies were many, his reputation was under attack, and his future was uncertain. Yet in the midst of betrayal and fear, David declares that the Lord is his shield. Jehovah Magen does not promise a life without conflict; He promises protection within it.
Often, we look for God to remove hardship when He is instead offering His presence. We want the battle to end, but God wants us to trust the One who stands before the battle with us. Jehovah Magen reminds us that our security is not found in circumstances going our way, but in God standing guard over our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Notice that David says the LORD is “a shield about me.” God’s protection is comprehensive. He guards what we can see—our physical lives, our provision, our path—but He also guards what is not physically seen: our faith, our hope, and our identity. When accusations fly, when fear whispers lies and deceit into our ears, when discouragement presses in, Jehovah Magen shields us from being defined by the attack. And ultimately, this name points us forward to Christ. At the cross, Jesus became our shield against sin, death, and the enemy. He stood in our place, absorbing what we could never withstand. Because of Him, we can rest—not in our strength—but in God’s faithful defense.
Devotional Prayer Questions
1. Where do you feel under attack right now—emotionally, spiritually, or relationally?
2. How would your posture change today if you truly believed God was your shield?
The Lord's Prayer
Use the Lord's Prayer to guide your prayer time.
“Father”
Jehovah Magen,
You are our shield and defender. When fear rises and threats surround us, help us to remember that You stand between us and harm.
“Hallowed be Your Name”
You stand unmatched, higher than every power and authority.
“Your Kingdom come / Your will be done”
Teach us to trust Your protection more than our own control, and to rest in the care only You can provide.
“Give us this day our daily bread”
Guard our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lift our heads when we feel weighed down. We choose today to rest behind Your shield.
“Forgive us our sins…”
Forgive us when we try to do too much on our own. We surrender our worries, fears, and doubts to you.
“Lead us not into temptation”
Lead us not into temptation, Jehovah Magen—our Shield. Guard our hearts and minds from anything that would draw us away from You.
Prayer Requests
After praying through the Lord's Prayer, please pray openly for those around you, our Church, those that are lost and then if you are joining us in person, please pray over a few prayer requests on the prayer cards located on the front of the stage and return them in the basket at the exit.
With Your Family
Prayer is so important for us to develop especially with our family. Throughout the 21 Days of Prayer we want to provide simple prayer prompts that you and your children can pray through that can break down the name of God into an easily understood manner and how we can pray through that. In addition to the prayer below, prompt your children to pray for family, friends, teachers, others in their life and remember to always lead the prayer with gratitude.
Thank God that He is Jehovah Magen, which means The LORD My Shield.
A shield protects someone from danger, and God shields us from harm and evil.
Because God is our shield, He protects us in ways we can see and ways we can't see.
Pray today for first responders, police officers, and firefighters who work hard to keep us safe, and ask God to protect them as they protect others.
Communion
If you are joining us in person, please pick up the communion elements provided and take it to close out your prayer time.
Scripture:
Read the following passage before participating in communion:
Mark 14:22-25: And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Prayer:
Take a moment and ask God to examine your heart and reveal any sin that is hindering your relationship with Him. Confess that sin to the Lord. Then, as you read the passage, take a moment to praise and thank God for His body and His blood, and eat the bread and drink the cup.
