One of the most comforting truths of scripture is the promise of God’s presence. This promise has been given to several people and groups in scripture. In the Old Testament it was given to Isaac (Gen 26:3), Jacob (Gen 31:3), Moses (Ex 3:12), and Joshua (Josh 1:5) among others.
God was with the children of Israel in the Exodus from Egypt and He traveled with them and led them in the wilderness. God’s glory was in the tabernacle and later the Temple.
God Left
But in Ezekiel’s visions we see the presence of the glory of the Lord “moving out” (see chpts 10-11). God’s presence would be leaving because of the sins of the people of Judah, the glory of God would no longer be with them as He was before.
This would have been a huge blow to the captives that Ezekiel preached to. Though they were far from home they hoped for a quick return. Which God had told them wasn’t going to happen.
The LORD is There
This section of the book of Ezekiel describes the temple and it’s service during the millennial reign of Christ.
While a lot of details are given, the most important detail is the last one mentioned and is the last verse of the book.
“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” Ezekiel 48:35
It’s so subtle you might have missed it. Let me re-emphasize it “…the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.” This name is the promise of God of His presence with them again.
Judah had sinned against God. They had rebelled and were now living in the punishment that was promised for that sin. But, in a future time in a future place they are assured of the presence of the Lord with them again, and His full glory.
The LORD is There or Jehovah Shammah is a name for Jerusalem. The meaning is pretty well expressed in the translation. It is a confident statement of a fact: “Jehovah is There” this is the place of Jehovah. This is God’s place of residence.
Where is God now?
In this future time, at this future place they could be sure of God’s presence. What about us? Where is God now? Is He hidden away in Heaven until this time comes to be? The New Testament tells a different story.
Jesus, God the Son, came to earth God was with man again and walked the streets of Jerusalem. But He gave His life, paying the price of the sin of all mankind, and three days later rose again. Then we read that He ascended back to heaven. But we aren’t truly left without Him.
“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5–6
We have Jesus with us. Think about the fullness of this blessing. Let’s look at just a couple of the implications of this truth.
Jesus’ Presence
Jesus’ Presence prompts: Contentment
In Heb 13:5 Jesus’ presence is the answer to covetousness, believers are to be “content with such things as ye have” because Jesus will never leave us.
Our greatest need is provided in Jesus’ presence with us.
He is the creator, sustainer and king of the universe. With Him right with us, what will we lack?
With our every need provided there isn’t any room left for lust or covetousness. As James 4:3 says, we can’t be praying out of lust and hope to get an answer.
Jesus’ Presence prompts: Courage
With the knowledge that Jesus is with us, we can have great courage in all that God would have us do.
As the creator, sustainer and king of all the universe Jesus can easily defend us from anything men can do to us. This frees us to only consider what God thinks about what we are called to do or say. If it’s pleasing to Him then it doesn’t really matter what another human may think of it.
This can inspire great courage in the spread of the gospel.
Matthew 28:18-20 The great commission is bookended with the facts of Jesus’ power over all things and His presence with us. There is nothing to fear. We charge boldly straight ahead.
Jesus Presence when we Pray
What’s more is the amazing promise Jesus’ gave us about when we pray.
“19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20
What a motivation to pray with our fellow believers! We not only have their agreement and comfort in prayer, but we also have a promise of the very presence of Jesus with us as we pray together.
Conclusion:
Let’s pray with our eyes open to the significance of God’s presence with us. Live in the conscious awareness of His presence. Let it produce in you the contentment, courage and power in prayer that God’s word says it can.
Studying and Application:
1. Where are you discontent in your life?
- What are some things that you feel like God should give you, but that He hasn’t given you so far?
- Pray through these things for God’s help in trusting Him for them, or for contentment to live without them.
2. Read Matthew 18:19-20 again, how can you better take advantage of these promises?
- If your church has a prayer meeting purpose to be there, if they don’t begin planning a time to meet with fellow believers in prayer.
3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.
