Jehovah Raah: My Shepherd and Protector

It started out as just another workday in my rural hometown. Little did I know I would experience the divine protection of Jehovah Raah that very day. I dropped my 3-year-old son off at my parents’ house down the road and jumped back into my car —late once again for my teaching job at our local elementary school. As a single parent with a toddler, I was often running late. During the week my son attended a Christian daycare in town. He loved it there and enjoyed playing with all the other children. This day I didn’t have time to take him, so, at the last minute, I left him with my parents.

The Accident

As I approached the stop sign at the end of the street, I stopped and looked right, then left. My driver’s side window was covered in dew and I didn’t have a clear view of the road, but because I was late, I proceeded through the intersection. Just as I did, a car coming from the left at a high rate of speed plowed into me. When I came to, I found myself up against a telephone pole, slumped in the passenger seat, head resting on the window. I had no idea how I’d gotten there. My son’s car seat, which had been positioned behind the driver’s seat, was now on the right side of the car.

“He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the folds of his garment . . .” (Isaiah 40:11 CSB)

The next few moments were surreal, as bystanders rushed over, and someone called an ambulance. I glanced down the road from the direction I’d come and there was my dad running toward the scene. He’d heard the crash and knew right away I must have been involved. The other car was driven by an elderly lady who, it turns out, was also in a hurry. We were both taken to the local hospital and checked over where neither of us were found to have life-threatening injuries. While lying in the emergency room, I thought about how God had protected both the lady in the other vehicle and myself. I thought about how my son could have been in the car. I was so thankful in that moment for the protection of Jehovah Raah.

The Backstory

There’s a backstory to this traumatic event. My son’s father and I had divorced a couple years before. I’d moved back to my hometown where I would have the support and help of my parents as I worked as a teacher to make ends meet. During this time, I wasn’t living for the Lord. Poor lifestyle choices left me frazzled, tired and disorganized. I’d been raised in a Christian home and, in fact, had come to know the Lord at an early age but, after my divorce, was in a distinct period of rebellion.

“For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25 CSB)

I was stubborn in my disobedience, much like the Israelites when they rebelled against God (which they did many times). God called the Israelites a “stiff-necked” people (Exodus 33:5), but He didn’t abandon them. He disciplined them and allowed them to suffer consequences, as He does with us.

 

God cares about us just as a shepherd protects and provides for His sheep. He is Jehovah Raah. He used that traumatic event to shake me out of my rebellion. I sought His forgiveness and praised Him for His protection. I had no doubt God was trying to get my attention, and He had succeeded.

The Turnaround

Life as a single parent was challenging, even with family support. I began to attend church again, although it was a bit awkward, as it often is for a divorced person. You feel like a square peg in a round hole. I began to pray that God would send me a godly partner to help me raise my young son and to be the spiritual leader that we needed in our home. My heart longed for that. Months later, I went with a friend to join the local YMCA. We both felt the need to become a little more active and wanted to join an exercise class. There at the front desk was a friendly, nice-looking guy who was the Director of Wellness. To make a long story short, that handsome guy eventually became my husband.

God always hears our prayers—and He always answers—though not always in the way we expect. There have been times in my life when I have prayed for many months or even years for things before I saw an answer. If this is you, don’t be discouraged, friend. God is faithful and will answer, in His time. He always knows what’s best for us, and throughout our lives, is working His plan to make us more like Him.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (CSB)

The Second Chance

Eric and I had two more children and have been married for 31 years now. Our life has seen its share of ups and downs including devastating job loss, the death of loved ones, and my husband’s triple bypass surgery at 50 years old. We’ve walked through a lot together, but when I look at Him, I see a gift from the Lord for whom I fervently prayed. Our kids are all married now and are active in churches in their own communitites. Our 6 grandchildren are being raised to know that Jesus is Lord. Five of those precious grands belong to the little boy who might have been in the car that day.

The unwavering love, care and protection of Jehovah Raah never fails. Even when we wander away, He’s there wooing us (or shaking us) back to Him. Some of us may only need a gentle nudge to see the error of our ways, but God knew I needed more. We can trust in Jehovah Raah, the caring shepherd. We can trust Him with our kids, our spouse, our future. His love and faithfulness never end.

“Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us and we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.  Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good and his faithful loves endures forever; his faithfulness through all generations.” (Psalm 100:3-5 CSB)