“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” – Psalm 46:11
Kathy opened this month’s study sharing the power and meaning behind names, especially as we study God’s names.
An article on Bible.org on the names of God states: “…giving glory to God is tied in with the knowledge of God (revelation of God), and knowing God personally (response to God).”
Giving glory is a reaction. God created us to glorify Him, and we eagerly do so because, as we get to know Him, we see His active nature, His compassion, and His love.
A God of Many Names
In our lives, we may receive many descriptive adjectives to our character. You might be calm, patient, and compassion. A friend might have a fierce, devoted personality. A coworker may be considered energetic, contemplative, or deliberate.
The Old and New Testaments describe our God as compassionate, loving, fatherly, strong, all-knowing, and more. He is a God of salvation, of justice, and of mercy.
As we grow in our knowledge of Him and our experience in faith with Him, we see how active and present God is in our lives.
A Present God
As much as we know God’s interest in our lives, some days we just feel alone. Unattended. Forgotten.
When I plummet into days like these, God presents me with a reminder of a perhaps lesser-known one of His names – Jehovah Shammah, meaning “He is There.”
“Jehovah Shammah” only appears once in the Old Testament. In Ezekiel 48:35, the Israelites are building the new Jerusalem, which God instructs will be named “Jehovah Shammah.” The city itself reminds the people that God is present.
He was present in the past, leading the Israelites through generations of slavery, wandering, and growth. He was present in the specific plans His people carried out as they rebuilt Jerusalem. He is present now, as He guides us through living out His love. He offers His presence through us, acting through our hearts and delivering eternal hope.
This verse in Ezekiel ends the book, and what a way to end a book! The last note we read here proclaims “from that time on” God’s ever presence. He is always with us.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary says:
“…it is true of every good Christian; he dwells in God, and God in him; whatever soul has in it a living principle of grace, it may be truly said, The Lord is There.”
If, during my struggles and my worries, I stop and consider how God is with me, how much will that change my perspective? I can give those worries away when I remember He guides, protects, and journeys with me.
From now until forever, God is there.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” – Revelation 21:3
May we live certain He is with us!
How have you experienced God’s presence? What verses remind you He is always there?
A beautiful post, Caroline. God’s presence means everything. The verses that first popped into my mind were these from Psalm 73 “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Thanks for coming by, Eileen. I love those Psalm 73 verses. God reminds us so many times how present He is. It’s like He knows we need the reminder, eh? :-)
Caroline, thanks for the encouraging word today! I am so thankful that God is indeed there!
Me, too, Kathy. Quite thankful.
great!
Caroline I was studying Jehovah shammah and came across your notes and it blessed me and then when I read the comments and I saw Eileens reply also blessed me..that verse Ps.73: is on my son Matts Head stone..he was 13 &loved Jesus lost his battle with cancer but won the war…God is &was with us ..Touched my heart & gave me hope & strength in Our God
Jehovah Shammah = He is There past ,present & future..Thank God for Sisters in the Faith !
(Prov.3:5,6)
I’m so glad that He is so present in our time of need. He hears each and every prayer. He will never leave us! Nothing can separate us from his love. Mercy and goodness shall follow us all the days of our lives. Yes, He is ours forever! God is there!
Well said Martha
Thanks so much for further explaining the meaning of Jehovah Shammah to me, I’m a Christian and felt down a few nights ago so I prayed and while I slept I heard a loud voice saying Jehovah Shammah to me, it’s from that same voice that always gives me direction from when I was young so I know it’s God again at work but this time I needed to search the meaning of Shammah unlike other messages I get from Him that are very explicit upon hearing them. While I searched for an explicit explanation, I found your message so I pray that you be strengthened in all ramifications of life and that through you shall nations be drawn closer to God almighty in Jesus name, amen. Thanks Caroline and others who have dropped nice words on here. May God always abide in us ‘Emmanuel’.