Jehovah Shammah The Lord is Present

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Micah Hackett
Background
Ezekiel 48 is not a typical devotional reading; however, it does have a few principles for us to take home. It starts
out by giving specific portions of land to each tribe of Israel. Every tribe had a special place in Gods eyes, despite
their rebellion in so many ways in the previous years. A gate was dedicated to each tribe for individual access to the
presence of God. And why is that significant? Because the Lord is there. The Lord provided an individual contact to
Him for each of the tribes, as He has given us individual access to the throne of grace. It is precious, because the
Lord is there.
Significance
We can apply this in several ways; but for the believer in this present age, we can apply the name of JehovahShammah beautifully to the local assembly. The Lord promised that when there is a group of believers in fellowship
who are gathered to His name, He will be in the midst. As a collective gathering, we can confidently say, The Lord
is here. What a blessing!
With this great blessing comes responsibility, and we see some of those responsibilities in our passage Ezekiel
48. We will apply it to our lives in four main points: 1). The Sanctuary in the midst. 2). Keeping His charge. 3). Firstfruits to the Lord. 4). Being marked by His presence.
Application
Repeatedly, we see the emphasis on the sanctuary being in the midst. The people of Israel needed a passion for the
sanctuary of the Lord and the house of God, and they didnt even have the privilege of freely approaching the
Throne of Grace. We, however, have a unique connection individually and collectively as members of a local
assembly (if we are part of one) to the presence of God. We must keep the sanctuary in the midst; it must be our
priority. Do we set aside time for the Lord to be in His presence? Do we seek to expand our time therein? Are the
meetings of the local assembly a priority to us? The sanctuary must be in the midst! Every time a man left the
presence of God, it ended in disaster. It is when we forget His presence that our lives are destroyed. God forbid that
we forget the sanctuary.
In verse eleven, we see people called the sons of Zadok; they were priests. They were the only Levites who
remained faithful to the Lord; and they were sanctified, having the privilege of service in the house of God. Though
our relationship with God doesnt depend on our falling into sin, our fellowship does. When we sin without
confession, fellowship is hindered. When fellowship is hindered, it is easier to fall into sin. What follows is a
devastating result in our life of having a difficult time destroying an addiction. We must not forget to keep His charge!
We must remember His sanctuary! It is such a precious thing when there are genuine believers who remain faithful
amidst apostasy, trials, division, etc. The Lord cherishes these people. May we learn to be these people in keeping
His charge. Lets preach the gospel. Lets love His sanctuary. Lets be holy and separate. Lets keep His charge. It is
by far worth it, for His sakes and for ours.
These faithful priests were promised land; and in verse fourteen, they were commanded not to sell it or alienate the
first-fruits of it. When it comes to the blessings God provides, what are our first-fruit offerings like? When God
provides a wonderful gem of revelation in His Word, do we use it to promote praise and spiritual growth? Or do we
use that knowledge to make self appear more spiritual before other believers? When God gives us our paycheck,
what is the first thing we think? Is it along the lines of a desire to offer our first-fruits to God and His purposes? We

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must remember this simple truth: when God graciously provides for our every need, it is so we can live another day
to glorify Him! We must remember to keep our offerings holy and absolute. Let us never sell our first-fruits for earthy
treasure. Lets be the faithful priests.
Finally, we see a principle in the name of the city. In English, it is called The Lord (the eternal One) is there. What
precious words. What convicting words. This was a place marked by Gods presence, a place where strangers could
walk by, standing in awe, and say The Lord is there. Is that how our local assemblies are marked? Are people from
the world able to look at the gathering and say confidently, God is among you of a truth? Or does our lack of
passion, zeal, and praise cause people to say Theyre just like the rest just like the world? God forbid. May we
instead be marked by HIM.

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