Jehovah-shammah: The Lord Is There

Jehovah-shammah: The Lord Is There

From that day the name of the city will be “The LORD Is There.” –Ezekiel 48:35

I was walking with a woman at a retreat center, discussing the impossibility of making complete, explainable sense out of suffering. “I think it just comes down to this,” she said. “God is with us, and that is enough.” And I think she is right. The God who made us walks beside us in the highest and lowest points of life, and even in death. Ultimately, this is God’s greatest promise and one of his most precious names, because experiencing the reality of his presence with us is our most profound need.

But I must admit, there have been times the promise of “God with me” hasn’t felt like enough for me. It has seemed like the cop-out answer when he wasn’t doing something for me. I have wanted what he has to offer more than I have wanted him. Part of my problem is that I resist slowing down enough to simply enjoy his presence. I work through my Bible study to get the answers and pray through my list until my mind wanders. Too quickly, I am on to “more important” matters than simply experiencing and enjoying the very real presence of Jehovah-shammah. He is there, but I’ve missed him.

God’s progressive self-revelation through his divine names comes to a climax as Ezekiel described God’s future Kingdom city, named for its most distinctive inhabitant, Jehovah-shammah: the Lord is there. Throughout Scripture we see the beauty and feel the comfort of Jehovah-shammah. David found him: “Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4). Isaiah prophesied, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2). An angel proclaimed, “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus showed us Jehovah-shammah with skin!

So when you are lonely, reach out for Jehovah-shammah. He is there beside you. When you have strayed from God, return to find Jehovah-shammah waiting for you. When you feel surrounded by darkness and evil, look up to see Jehovah-shammah surrounding you with his very presence. He is there.

My Jehovah-shammah, I will stop asking you to “be with me” in my prayers because you are already here! Teach me to enjoy your presence in my home, where I work, everywhere I am. You are here with me, even now.

DIGGING DEEPER