2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
I can’t help but think that since our present subject has been Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there, that we should spend some time dwelling on citations that reveal the Lord’s presence. This should be no academic exercise, but a revelation of how mankind has taken God’s presence for granted and a wake-up call for us not to continue doing that. Perhaps I’m a cock-eyed optimist in feeling that we can make the decision never to take Jehovah Shammah for granted in our lives and act on that. But, that is what I believe. We do not have to make the mistakes of the past! If these citations impact you that way they do me, then this entire matter will be a heart-attitude and not just a head trip.
I have often cited EX 13: 20-22, because it is such a palpable example of the Lord’s presence. “The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham at the edge of the desert. During that day the Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night He went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so they could travel night and day. The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night.” Now, let’s mine this passage for its lessons. When something is always in front of us, we can see it physically. However, since it was the Lord’s cloud in day and fire at night that indicated when and where the Jews should go, it was necessary for them to keep their eyes focused on God all the time. Without that they would be left behind and never find their way. Isn’t that the same message God gives us today? We are provided for and given direction that is life-saving when we keep our eyes focused on God. When we don’t, then we run the risk of experiencing spiritual death. God gave the Jews direction during the day, showing them the way. At night, he gave them light. Remember PS 119: 105, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path?” The impact of that verse has long-range and powerful consequences. We know that some Jews were lost during that 40 year trek in the desert, just as some people today are lost when they reject God. Those who find faith and keep their eyes focused on God then or today find the lighted path to eternal life.
God’s presence in our lives extends far beyond telling us where to physically go. He had never given us less that what is sufficient to assure we can successfully take the narrow path to righteousness. That is surely another manifestation of His love for us. Look at His instructions to the Jews in EX 23: 20-22, “I will send an angel ahead of you to protect you as you travel and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Pay attention to him and obey him. Do not rebel against him, for I have sent him and he will not pardon such rebellion. But if you obey him and do everything I command, I will fight against all your enemies.” These are the words of a Lord Who deeply adores His children and wants to see to their needs. An acquaintance once said to me, “Lynn, I don’t like to study the OT, because I never see God’s love there, only His judgment.” This person sadly missed the boat. When we consider the job God had to do and is still doing in taking basically sinful enemies and bringing them to faith by the Holy Spirit, we should stand in awe of His mighty accomplishments. I have often said and will say again that God is with us on the job twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week! That kind of love deserves never to be taken for granted or be ignored. This passage foreshadows One against Whom mankind rebelled and rejected, Jesus Christ. Even when He knew He would be a sin-sacrifice for the world, Christ reminded us that He was preparing the way for us. JN 14: 1-2, “’Do not be worried and upset,’ Christ told them. ‘Believe in God and believe in Me. There are many mansions in My Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so.’” How many of us would do such a thing for our enemies, knowing that they planned to kill us?
In case there was ever any equivocation about whether God was really present with the ancient Jews, EX 19: 18-19 rests this case. “All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord had come down on it in fire. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and all the people trembled violently. The sound of the trumpet become louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.” How much more proof did the people need? And yet, we know from the account in EX 32 1-35 of the golden calf incident, which I hope you will read, that their faith was weak at best. God had made it clear that He tolerates no rivals in EX 20: 4-5. The 40th chapter of Exodus deals with setting up and dedicating the Tent of the Lord’s presence. EX 40: 34-38, “Then the cloud [shekinah glory of the Lord] covered the tent and the dazzling light of the Lord’s presence filled it. Because of this, Moses could not go into the Tent. The Israelites moved their camp to another place only when the Lord lifted from the Tent. As long as the cloud stayed there, they did not move their camp. During all their wanderings, they could see the cloud of the Lord'’ presence over the Tent. During the day and fire burning above it at night.” The Lord promised Moses to be with His people. I believe that He is still with us today!
PRAYER: O Lord, You may not be with us physically since You departed the Temple in Ezekiel’s time [EZK 10: 4], but You are still with us in all the ways that count. We acknowledge that in the past we have taken You for granted and ignored Your commands. But, we humbly offer ourselves to You in dedication of our willingness to reverse that. Through the death of Your Son on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit, You have given us a hunger for righteousness and willingness to obey You that could come from no other source. The Holy Spirit is truly the Helper that Christ promised us [JN 14: 15-17]. It is He Who makes us thirst for Your word and causes us to understand it. As if that was not enough, You have us prayer, allowed Christ to open the heavenly Holy of Holies to us, and made Him our Intercessor with You. It is He Who carries our prayers to You and Who is our Advocate. You command us to study the citations that will reveal You as our very own Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. We claim You as our one and only God and pray that You will continue to claim us as Your very own children. We open our hearts to You in humility and reverence offering You our adoration, worship, trust, obedience, loyalty, honor, glory, praise, and thanks. In Christ’s name, amen.
We have only begun looking at the wonderful list of citations the Lord leads me to discuss which reveal His presence. Come with me tomorrow as He leads all of us on the path of His choice. The adventure promises to be most fulfilling. The love that our Abba has for us is found in every word in the Scriptures. I know this to be true and hope you are discovering that with me. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn