Jehovah Machsi: The Lord is my Refuge
Jehovah Machsi: The Lord Is My Refuge
Living Safely in an Unsafe World
We live in a world that feels increasingly unstable. Danger, fear, uncertainty, and suffering are realities none of us can avoid. As we close our series He Shall Be Called, we turn to one final name of God that speaks directly into this tension: Jehovah Machsi — The Lord is my refuge.
Psalm 91:1–2 answers a deeply personal question: How does God keep us safe in a world that isn’t?
The Posture That Unlocks the Promise (Psalm 91:1)
Psalm 91 opens with a condition before it offers comfort. This is not a blanket promise for everyone, but a covenant promise for those who place their faith and trust in God.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
— Psalm 91:1
This verse acts as the doorway into the entire psalm. Before we explore the promises that follow, we must understand the posture it requires.
Dwells
To dwell means to sit, remain, stay, or inhabit. This is not a momentary visit with God, but a settled lifestyle of abiding in Him. God is not meant to be a rest stop we pass through, but a home we live in.
Shelter
The shelter is described as a hiding place or secret place of safety. This does not imply a life free from danger, but a life marked by intimacy with God. There is a difference between being hidden from trouble and being hidden in God’s presence. One avoids suffering; the other carries us through it.
Most High
This name emphasizes God’s supremacy and authority over all earthly and spiritual powers. Our refuge is secure because it exists under the rule of the One who rules everything.
Shadow
A shadow implies closeness. You cannot stand in someone’s shadow unless you remain near to them. Protection flows from proximity.
Almighty (Shaddai)
God is all-powerful and all-sufficient. He does not merely offer protection; He has the power to sustain it.
God’s divine presence + God’s divine power = God’s divine protection.
While life will never be trouble-free, God’s protection provides rest for our souls.
As Elisabeth Elliot wisely said:
“The shadow of the Almighty is not a place of escape from suffering, but a place of assurance in it. Safety is found in surrender to His will.”
From Description to Declaration (Psalm 91:2)
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
— Psalm 91:2
The psalmist moves from description to declaration. Verse 1 explains the promise of rest; verse 2 reveals the God behind that protection.
Jehovah Machsi means “my refuge.” It is a relational name — one that emerges from lived experience. You can only call God your refuge when you dwell in Him.
Three Essential Truths About Jehovah Machsi
1. Jehovah Machsi Is Covenantal
“Jehovah” is God’s personal, covenant name. Our refuge is not a strategy, location, or circumstance — it is a Person. The covenant-keeping Creator of heaven and earth stands for His people. As Paul reminds us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
2. Jehovah Machsi Represents Safety and Strength
The Hebrew root of machsi describes running urgently into protection — fleeing from danger into a high, safe place. It acknowledges both our vulnerability and God’s sufficiency.
Psalm 91:1 reveals our need for shelter.
Psalm 91:2 declares that God Himself is that shelter.
3. Jehovah Machsi Is Fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Psalm 91 ultimately points us to Jesus. He invites us to abide in Him, to remain close, to live in constant dependence. Jesus describes Himself as the One who longs to gather us under His wings, offering protection even to those who resist Him. God’s desire to shelter His people is fully embodied in Christ.
How We Make Jesus Our Jehovah Machsi
Prayer
“Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” — Psalm 62:8
Prayer does not require polished language or perfect words. God invites honest, messy, raw prayers. The more we pray, the more we dwell — and dwelling deepens trust.
Reading God’s Word
“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” — Proverbs 30:5
Scripture is more than information; it is an invitation into God’s presence. God’s Word anchors our hearts, strengthens our trust, and draws us into the safety of His character.
Worship
“God inhabits the praises of His people.” — Psalm 22:3
Worship shifts our confidence away from fear and self-reliance and places it squarely on God. Worship does not merely declare that God is our refuge — it places us there.
Receiving Salvation
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:3
Salvation is not only forgiveness; it is a new life hidden in Christ. Jesus becomes our covering, our protector, and our eternal refuge. His victory becomes our confidence.
Safe Through, Not Safe From
Jesus makes it clear: “In this life you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God never promises an easy life. He promises faithful presence.
Jesus tells His disciples that suffering will come — betrayal, hatred, even death — yet assures them that not even a hair of their heads will ultimately perish. God’s protection does not always remove suffering, but it guarantees that suffering will never have the final word.
To be kept safe by Jehovah Machsi means this: you will not be overcome. You will not be lost. You will rise victorious into eternal life, forever in the presence of God.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Ross Owens
Series: He Shall Be Called
Sermon Title: Jehovah Machsi: The Lord Is my Refuge
Date: Dec 28, 2025
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Psalm 91:1-2
SHARE
