A man stood with his arms open, palms facing the sky with a city landscape in front of him

What’s in a name? Everything! (6)

What’s in a name? Everything! (6)

08 September 2018
‘The name of the city…shall be, The LORD is there.’

During Israel’s twenty-fifth year of captivity, Ezekiel the prophet received from God His name Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is there. God described Israel’s future home, Jerusalem, saying, ‘And the name of the city…shall be, The Lord is there [Jehovah-Shammah].’ It applied not only to the Lord of the old covenant, but equally to Jesus, the Lord of the new covenant. His name, ‘Immanuel’, like Jehovah-Shammah, means, ‘the Lord is with us’ (see Isaiah 7:14). And it means at all times, in all places, under all circumstances, and for all of us, God is ever available and ever present! David proclaimed: ‘I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me’ (Psalm 139:7-10 NLT). Do you remember how fear, loneliness, and helplessness disappeared when you were in your mum’s or dad’s presence? In Israel’s deepest despair God’s response was always, ‘I am with you.’ Those words guaranteed that their needs would always be met! And today God is saying to you, ‘I’m with you’, and ‘neither death, life, angels, spirit-powers, present or future fears, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation will ever separate us’ (see Romans 8:38-39). That promise extends to all God’s redeemed children – reach out and grasp it.

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Copyright © Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission.