...the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.
— Ezekiel 48:35
IN HIS ATTEMPT to describe the future glory of the nation of Israel, Ezekiel said that it will be called Jehovah Shammah (Yahweh Shammah)—”THE LORD IS THERE.” He cannot think of anything more glorious than the fact that the Lord is there.
Some people think they would like to escape the presence of God. They work hard to eliminate God from our national life—no mention of God in public schools, no reminder of God in public places. They think they would enjoy being where God isn’t, because then they’d have no restrictions. They could do whatever they like. But you have to remember that in a world without limitations, everyone else has the same liberties you do, and you wouldn’t last long under those conditions.
THANK GOD WE CAN’T ESCAPE HIS PRESENCE.
Because God is there, we have hope, strength, and purity. Without Him, we have only darkness.
Though God is always there, we sometimes forget. That is when we have a tendency toward sinning. It is also when we begin to despair over our circumstances. But that is the point at which we need a consciousness of God’s presence the most.
The awareness of the presence of God will keep us from sin. It will chase away our despair. It will enable us to rejoice in the darkest hour of our lives. Cultivate that awareness. Remember the One who has promised to be with us on the mountaintop, in the valley, and everywhere in between.
Father, we thank You for the gift of Your presence. Help us to remember You are there, that our hearts might be lifted from despair to thanksgiving.
Amen.