My family has welcomed our newest great grandson named Warren James.  His toddler sister calls him “War” since the “double r” is still difficult. At first, I had to get used to this old family name, but since Warren’s emergency birth at 31 weeks, I have come to see him as a little warrior living up to his name’s fierce character. Every day in the NICU he fights for breath, life itself, and he is protected and sheltered well by his family and all who care for him daily. The name Warren has ancient Germanic roots as someone who is a defender or protector who provides shelter. Baby Warren certainly reminds us to reflect on the character of God, a fierce warrior who protects, defends and provides refuge.

There is song of Moses and his sister Miriam in Exodus 15 which praises the Lord God as the victorious Warrior at the Red Sea.  Succeeding generations would sing this song and be reminded of God’s glorious triumph over the enemies who enslaved them. “The Lord is my strength and my song,” is their response and declaration of gratitude to their warrior Lord God:

I will sing to the Lord,
    for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
    he has hurled into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
    the Lord is his name.

The Scriptures help us to imagine God as Majestic, literally glorious, wide, and noble, as well as Fierce, suited up as a Warrior and wrapped up in a cloak of passion for his name and fame. Who is like you Lord—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 

In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow your adversaries. Exodus 15: 7,11

The Lord puts on righteousness as a breastplate, a helmet of salvation, garments of vengeance and wraps in a cloak of zeal. Isaiah 59:17

For years I worshipped in a church with these words in bold letters across the platform wall: “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” It always left me pondering, “How do I dare to come before this Majestic One? By faith I know I need not fear God’s holy presence, but can boldly enter through the veil of separation, torn away by the blood of Christ. God’s holiness is ultimate goodness and generosity and my true response is to turn away from the chaos and surrender everything to be in God’s presence.

Just as we long to visit far-away majestic mountains, and sit beside peaceful rivers, we can find an awesome place of refuge in the presence of God. “The Lord in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams.” (Isaiah 33:21 ESV)

Whatever place you find yourself, whatever troubles have come for a visit, hear this invitation from the Lord God:

Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.  (Isaiah 26:20 ESV)

For more on Exodus 15 https://robbijames.com/2020/09/12/a-womans-voice/