Jehovah Shammah: God's Ever-Present Love and Restoration
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a community to reflect on the profound truth that God is not distant, but ever-present—Jehovah Shammah, “The Lord is there.” Many of us have experienced seasons where God feels far away, where spiritual practices become chores and our hearts grow numb. Yet, as we examine our lives, we often find that this distance is not because God has moved, but because we have allowed sin, distractions, or the lies of the world, the devil, and our own flesh to create separation. From the very beginning, humanity has chosen its own way, seeking fulfillment apart from God, and this pattern continues in our lives today.
The story of Ezekiel powerfully illustrates this. Though Israel’s sin led to exile and the loss of God’s manifest presence in the temple, God did not abandon His people. Instead, He went with them into exile, promising restoration and a future where His presence would dwell among them again. The book of Ezekiel ends with the hope-filled declaration: “The Lord is there.” This is not just a promise for ancient Israel, but a foreshadowing of the new covenant we have in Christ. Through Jesus, God has drawn near to us, writing His law on our hearts and inviting us into a relationship that is both intimate and enduring.
We are reminded that God’s desire is always for relationship. He pursues us with steadfast love, offering mercy and grace—not because we deserve it, but because of His great love. Our response is to turn from the paths that lead us away from Him and to draw near, knowing that He is always ready to receive us. This nearness is not just for the future, but for now. As we set our sights on eternity, we are called to walk in the good works God has prepared for us, to share the hope we have with others, and to live by the Spirit, bearing fruit that reflects His presence in our lives. In every season, Jehovah Shammah assures us: the Lord is there—now and forever.
Key Takeaways
- Separation from God is Self-Inflicted, Not Imposed
The sense of distance from God often arises from our own choices—following the world, the devil, or our flesh—rather than from God withdrawing from us. Like Adam and Eve, and the Israelites in Ezekiel’s time, we create separation by seeking fulfillment apart from God. Yet, even when we wander, God remains steadfast, waiting for us to turn back to Him. The feeling of distance is an invitation to examine our hearts and return to His presence. [10:40]
- God’s Presence Follows Us, Even in Exile
Ezekiel’s vision reveals that God’s glory did not remain in the temple but went with His people into exile. This demonstrates that God does not abandon us in our lowest moments or when we are far from “home.” Instead, He enters our places of exile, offering hope and the promise of restoration. No matter how far we feel we’ve gone, God is near, ready to restore relationship. [08:49]
- The New Covenant: Relationship Written on Our Hearts
God’s desire for relationship is seen in the new covenant established through Jesus. Unlike the old covenant, which was external and often broken, the new covenant is internal—God’s law written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This transforms our motivation from obligation to love, enabling us to walk in His ways not out of fear, but out of a deep, Spirit-empowered desire to please Him. [27:22]
- Setting Our Sights on Eternity Changes Our Present
The hope of God’s eternal presence—Jehovah Shammah—shapes how we live now. With our eyes fixed on the promise of the New Jerusalem, we are called to walk in the good works God has prepared, serve with joy, and invest in what lasts. This eternal perspective infuses our daily lives with purpose and joy, even in the midst of trials or exile. [34:04]
- Walking in the Spirit Produces Supernatural Fruit
Living in the awareness of God’s presence means relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and transform us. As we turn from the desires of the flesh and seek alignment with God’s will, the Spirit produces fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more—that we cannot manufacture on our own. This fruit is evidence of God’s nearness and a foretaste of the eternal relationship we will enjoy with Him. [39:39]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - Examining Distance from God
[03:21] - Introducing Jehovah Shammah
[06:20] - Ezekiel’s Story: Exile and Presence
[08:49] - God’s Presence in Exile
[10:40] - The Roots of Separation
[17:10] - Lies of the World, Devil, and Flesh
[19:10] - The Consequences of Separation
[20:34] - Gnashing of Teeth: Choosing Separation
[23:03] - The Farmer’s Truck: Who Moved?
[24:39] - God’s Desire for Relationship
[27:22] - The New Covenant in Christ
[29:11] - Grace, Mercy, and Drawing Near
[30:50] - Setting Our Sights on Eternity
[34:04] - Walking in Good Works
[35:55] - Sharing Our Hope
[38:07] - Walking in the Spirit
[39:39] - Bearing Spiritual Fruit
[41:27] - Closing and Benediction
Study Guide
Village Bible Church Small Group Discussion Guide
*Jehovah Shammah: The Lord Is There*
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### Bible Reading
Ezekiel 48:35 (ESV)
"The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”
Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Revelation 21:1-3 (ESV)
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 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.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Ezekiel 48:35, what is the significance of the city being named “The Lord Is There”? How does this connect to the story of Israel’s exile? ([06:20])
2. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what are the three main influences that lead people away from God? ([10:40])
3. What does Ephesians 2:4-10 say about how God responds to our separation from Him? What words or phrases stand out about God’s character? ([29:11])
4. In Revelation 21:3, what is the promise about God’s presence in the future? How does this relate to the name Jehovah Shammah? ([30:50])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon said that separation from God is “self-inflicted, not imposed.” What does this mean in light of the stories of Adam and Eve and the Israelites? ([10:40])
2. How does Ezekiel’s vision of God’s presence going with His people into exile challenge the idea that God abandons us in our lowest moments? ([08:49])
3. The new covenant is described as God’s law written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. How is this different from the old covenant, and what does it mean for our daily motivation to follow God? ([27:22])
4. The sermon talked about “setting our sights on eternity.” How does having an eternal perspective change the way we live right now? ([30:50])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon described times when spiritual practices felt like chores and God felt distant. Have you experienced a season like this? What were some of the “paths” or distractions that contributed to that distance? ([01:56])
2. The story of the farmer and his wife in the truck illustrated that God hasn’t moved—we have. Is there an area in your life where you feel you’ve “moved away” from God? What would it look like to “turn around” this week? ([23:03])
3. The sermon listed the world, the devil, and the flesh as sources of lies that pull us away from God. Which of these do you find most tempting or challenging in your own life? How can you recognize and resist these influences? ([17:10])
4. God’s desire is for relationship, not just rule-following. What is one way you can shift your motivation from obligation to love in your walk with God this month? ([27:22])
5. Ephesians 2:10 says we are created for good works God prepared for us. Is there a specific way you feel called to serve or a ministry you’ve been putting off? What’s one step you can take to walk in those good works? ([34:04])
6. The sermon encouraged us to share our hope with others. Who is one person in your life who feels “separated” from God? What is a practical way you can reach out to them this week? ([35:55])
7. Walking in the Spirit produces supernatural fruit. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) that you want to grow in. What is a specific action or prayer you can commit to this week to cultivate that fruit? ([39:39])
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*Close in prayer, asking God to help each person experience His nearness and to walk in the good works and fruit He has prepared for them.*
Devotional
Day 1: The Lord Is There—God’s Faithful Presence in Exile
Even when God’s people were exiled and suffering the consequences of their sin, God did not abandon them. The vision at the end of Ezekiel is a powerful reminder that God’s presence goes with His people, even into the places of their deepest pain and separation. The name Jehovah Shammah—“The Lord is there”—is a promise that God’s faithfulness and nearness are not limited by our circumstances or failures. No matter how far we feel from Him, He is present, ready to restore and dwell with us. [08:49]
Ezekiel 48:35 (ESV)
The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel exiled or far from God, and how might you invite His presence into that very place today?
Day 2: Our Choices Create Distance—Recognizing the Roots of Separation
From the Garden of Eden to our own lives, the distance we feel from God is often the result of our own choices—turning to the world, the devil, or our flesh instead of to Him. We are prone to wander, seeking fulfillment in things that cannot satisfy, and in doing so, we create a sense of separation from the God who loves us. Yet, even in our wandering, God remains steadfast, waiting for us to turn back to Him. [17:10]
Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Reflection: What is one area where you have been following your own desires instead of God’s, and what would it look like to turn back to Him today?
Day 3: God Desires Relationship—The Gift of the New Covenant
Despite our failures and the brokenness of our covenants, God’s desire for relationship with us remains unshaken. Through Jesus Christ, God established a new covenant—not written on stone, but on our hearts—so that we might know Him intimately and walk with Him by the Spirit. This relationship is not earned by our efforts but is a gift of grace, offered to all who will turn to Him and believe. [29:11]
Ephesians 2:4-8 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Reflection: How does knowing that God desires relationship with you—regardless of your past—change the way you approach Him in prayer and daily life?
Day 4: Set Your Sights on Eternity—Living with Hope and Purpose
The promise of God’s presence is not just for the future but shapes how we live now. With our eyes set on the hope of the New Jerusalem, we are called to walk in the good works God has prepared for us, serving with joy and sharing the hope we have in Christ. Our purpose is found in joining God’s work, storing up treasure in heaven, and living as people marked by hope and expectation of His eternal presence. [34:04]
Revelation 21:1-3 (ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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.”
Reflection: What is one specific way you can serve or share hope with someone this week, living out your purpose with eternity in mind?
Day 5: Walk in the Spirit—Bearing Fruit in God’s Presence
God’s presence with us through the Holy Spirit empowers us to turn from the desires of the flesh and to bear fruit that reflects His character—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we walk in the Spirit, we experience a closeness to God that transforms our attitudes and actions, enabling us to live out the reality of Jehovah Shammah in our daily lives. [39:39]
Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need to grow in right now, and how can you intentionally ask God to cultivate it in you today?
Quotes
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