Yahweh Shammah: Embracing God's Ever-Present Reality
Summary
This past week at Bible camp, we witnessed the beauty of God’s presence in a powerful way—through worship, community, and even the baptism of one of our own, Audrey. These moments remind us that God is not only present in the extraordinary but also in the everyday. As we continue exploring the Names of God, today we focus on “Yahweh Shammah”—the Lord is there. This name, found in Ezekiel 48, points to the promise that God’s presence will one day be fully realized among His people, but it also speaks to the reality that He is with us now.
Throughout Scripture, we see a tapestry of God’s presence: in Eden, where Adam and Eve rejected Him out of selfishness; in the Exodus, where Israel received His presence with reluctance, wanting the blessings but not the hardships; in the Exile, where returning exiles wept over the new temple, longing for the past but needing to embrace God’s work in the present; in Jesus, Emmanuel, where God’s presence was revealed in flesh and blood, offering forgiveness and new life; and finally, in the promise of eternity, where God’s presence will be fully realized, wiping away every tear and making all things new.
These stories are not just ancient history—they are mirrors for our own lives. We, too, are tempted to reject God’s presence for selfish reasons, to desire His blessings without the cost, or to long for the “good old days” rather than trust Him for new works today. Yet, the invitation remains: to put to death the flesh, to pursue godly things, to point others to Jesus, and to pray. These are not formulas to manipulate God, but postures of readiness—ways to open ourselves to the reality that God is here, now, and also coming in fullness.
Ultimately, the question is not whether God is present—He is. The question is whether we are willing to receive Him, to trust Him in the new and unfamiliar, and to long for the day when His presence will be our eternal reality. Until then, we live in the “already but not yet,” confident that Yahweh Shammah—the Lord is there—remains true for us today.
Key Takeaways
- God’s presence is both constant and dynamic—He is always with us, yet there are moments when He manifests Himself in unique and powerful ways. These experiences are not to be idolized, but they remind us that God delights to draw near, often when we least expect it. Our role is to remain open and attentive, not chasing experiences, but welcoming His presence however He chooses to reveal it. [07:31]
- Selfishness is a primary barrier to experiencing God’s presence. Just as Adam and Eve rejected God in Eden and the rich young ruler turned away from Jesus, we often resist God’s nearness when it challenges our comfort or demands surrender. True intimacy with God requires a willingness to lay down our own desires and trust that His presence is better than anything we might cling to. [11:21]
- God’s presence does not guarantee a life free from hardship; in fact, it often brings us into places of challenge and growth. The Israelites wanted the blessings of God without the cost, but following Him means embracing both the joys and the trials. Authentic faith is marked by perseverance—a willingness to trust God’s goodness even when the path is difficult. [15:10]
- Nostalgia for the past can blind us to the new things God is doing in the present. Like the exiles who wept over the new temple, we may mourn what has changed, but God calls us to move forward in faith, trusting that His presence is not confined to our memories. He is always at work, often in ways that surprise us, and invites us to participate in His unfolding story. [20:22]
- The fullness of God’s presence is both a present reality and a future hope. In Christ, we are forgiven and made part of God’s kingdom now, but we also await the day when His presence will be fully realized—when every tear is wiped away and all things are made new. Until then, we are called to live in readiness: putting to death the flesh, pursuing godliness, pointing others to Jesus, and praying for God to move in and through us. [26:14]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - Trinitarian Greeting in Revelation
[03:34] - Manifest Presence of God in Scripture
[04:51] - Yahweh Shammah: The Lord is There
[07:31] - Five Snapshots of God’s Presence
[09:13] - Eden: God’s Presence Rejected
[11:21] - Selfishness and the Presence of God
[12:47] - Exodus: Presence Reluctantly Received
[15:10] - Blessings, Hardships, and God’s Presence
[16:10] - Exile and the Return: Rebuilding the Temple
[19:02] - Embracing God’s Presence in the Present
[20:22] - Change, Nostalgia, and God’s New Work
[22:15] - Emmanuel: God’s Presence Revealed in Jesus
[23:42] - The Central Question: What Do You Believe About Jesus?
[24:53] - Eternity: God’s Presence Realized
[26:14] - Four Postures for Experiencing God’s Presence
[28:22] - Pursuing Godly Things and Pointing Others to Jesus
[29:48] - The Role of Prayer and Readiness
[31:17] - Closing and Final Encouragement
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Yahweh Shammah – The Lord is There
---
### Bible Reading
1. 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.
2. Genesis 3:6-8 (ESV)
> So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
3. Revelation 21:3-5 (ESV)
> 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. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Ezekiel 48:35, what is the significance of the city being named “The Lord Is There”? What does this say about God’s desire for His people?
(see [04:51])
2. In Genesis 3, what were the reasons Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree, and how did their actions affect their relationship with God’s presence?
(see [09:13])
3. According to Revelation 21:3-5, what are some of the promises about God’s presence in the new heavens and new earth?
(see [24:53])
4. The sermon described five “snapshots” of God’s presence throughout the Bible. Can you recall and briefly describe two of them?
(see [07:31])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God’s presence is described as both constant (He is always with us) and dynamic (He sometimes shows up in unique ways)? How does this shape our expectations of experiencing God?
(see [07:31])
2. The sermon mentioned that selfishness is a primary barrier to experiencing God’s presence, using Adam and Eve and the rich young ruler as examples. Why does selfishness keep us from God, and what does it look like in our lives today?
(see [11:21])
3. When the Israelites returned from exile and saw the new temple, some wept because it wasn’t like the old one. What does this teach us about nostalgia and our openness to God’s new work in our lives?
(see [20:22])
4. The “already but not yet” idea was mentioned regarding God’s presence. What does it mean to live in the tension of God being with us now, but also waiting for His presence to be fully realized?
(see [24:53])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that God’s presence is always with us, but sometimes we miss it because we’re not open or attentive. What are some practical ways you can be more aware of God’s presence in your daily life this week?
(see [07:31])
2. Selfishness was described as a barrier to God’s presence. Is there an area in your life where you are holding onto your own desires instead of surrendering to God? What would it look like to lay that down?
(see [11:21])
3. The Israelites wanted God’s blessings without the hardships. Are there ways you have wanted God’s help or blessings but resisted the challenges or changes He might bring? How can you embrace both the joys and the trials of following Jesus?
(see [15:10])
4. The exiles wept for the “good old days” instead of embracing what God was doing in the present. Is there something in your past that you’re holding onto that keeps you from seeing or participating in God’s new work now? How can you move forward in faith?
(see [20:22])
5. The sermon gave four postures for experiencing God’s presence: putting to death the flesh, pursuing godly things, pointing others to Jesus, and praying. Which of these do you find most challenging, and what is one step you can take this week to grow in that area?
(see [26:14])
6. When was a time you experienced God’s presence in a unique or powerful way? What was happening in your life at that time, and how did it affect your faith?
(see [07:31])
7. The fullness of God’s presence is our future hope, but we live in the “already but not yet.” How can this hope shape the way you handle pain, disappointment, or waiting in your life right now?
(see [24:53])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open hearts to God’s presence, courage to surrender selfish desires, and readiness to join in whatever new work God is doing in and through them.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Presence Rejected—The Danger of Selfishness
From the very beginning, humanity was created to enjoy the presence of God, as seen in the Garden of Eden. Yet, Adam and Eve chose to reject God’s presence by giving in to selfish desires, seeking wisdom and satisfaction apart from Him. Their decision to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was rooted in wanting to do things their own way, not wanting anyone—including God—to tell them what to do. This same temptation to put our own desires above God’s will is still present today. When we choose selfishness, we distance ourselves from the fullness of God’s presence and the relationship He desires with us. Let us be honest about the ways we may be rejecting God’s presence in our own lives and ask Him to help us surrender our selfishness to Him. [11:21]
Genesis 3:1-7 (ESV)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to put your desires above God’s will, and how can you surrender that to Him today?
Day 2: God’s Presence Reluctantly Received—Wanting Blessings Without the Cost
The Israelites experienced God’s presence in powerful ways as He delivered them from slavery in Egypt, yet their faith quickly faltered when faced with hardship. They initially worshiped and rejoiced at God’s promise, but when challenges arose, they complained and longed for the comfort of their old life, even if it meant slavery. This reveals a common struggle: we often want the blessings of God’s presence without the hardships or sacrifices that come with following Him. True faith means trusting God not only in times of blessing but also in seasons of difficulty, knowing that His presence is worth any cost. [15:10]
Exodus 4:29-31; 14:10-12 (ESV)
Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.
When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Reflection: When have you found yourself wanting God’s blessings but resisting the challenges or changes He calls you to? How can you trust Him more fully in those moments?
Day 3: God’s Presence Remembered—Moving Forward, Not Backward
After returning from exile, the Israelites rebuilt the temple’s foundation and celebrated God’s faithfulness, but some wept because it was not like the glorious temple of the past. It is easy to long for the “good old days” and miss what God is doing now. God calls us to remember His faithfulness in the past, but also to move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting that He is at work in new ways today. Sometimes, God’s presence and work in our lives may look different than before, but He is still with us, inviting us to embrace the new things He is doing. [20:22]
Ezra 3:10-13 (ESV)
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
Reflection: Is there something from your past that you are holding onto so tightly that it keeps you from seeing or embracing what God is doing in your life right now?
Day 4: God’s Presence Revealed—Jesus, Emmanuel, God With Us
God’s ultimate presence was revealed in Jesus Christ, who is called Emmanuel, “God with us.” Jesus stepped into our world, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again, fulfilling God’s plan to bring us back into relationship with Him. Through Jesus, our sins are not only forgiven but removed, and we are given His righteousness. The presence of God in our lives today depends entirely on what we believe about Jesus. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to be with His people, and through faith in Him, we experience God’s presence in a personal and powerful way. [23:42]
Matthew 1:21-23 (ESV)
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is “God with us” change the way you approach Him in prayer, worship, and daily life today?
Day 5: God’s Presence Realized—Living in Anticipation of Eternity
The Bible promises that one day, God’s presence will be fully realized in the new heavens and new earth, where He will dwell with His people forever. There will be no more pain, death, or sorrow—only the perfect presence of God making all things new. While we cannot fully grasp what this will be like, we are invited to live each day in anticipation of that reality, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, pursuing godly things, pointing others to Jesus, and praying for God’s presence to be made known. As we do, we position ourselves to experience more of His presence now, even as we long for the day when we will see Him face to face. [26:14]
Revelation 21:1-4 (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. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live today in anticipation of the perfect presence of God that is promised for eternity?
Quotes
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