Jehovah - Shammah
The Lord who is there
Ezekiel 48:35
Thomas Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta who was known in the early 1920’s for the suggestive lyrics he combined with original music. Then God touched his life and in 1926 he gave up the suggestive music and began to write spiritual music. In 1932 times were hard for Dorsey as they were for nearly everyone trying to survive the depression. Perhaps it was because of his past music and his also his musical style some said his music was too worldly. The most difficult night of his life came one night right here in St. Louis when he received a telegram telling him that his pregnant wife had suddenly died. Dorsey was filled with grief and his faith was shaken, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, he expressed his agony the only way he knew how. He wrote this song. . . 1) Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light; Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
A. His presence with Man.
1. With Adam and Eve
Genesis 3:8 (New King James Version)
8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
2. Told Moses to make a Tabernacle of goat skins
Exodus 25:8 (New King James Version)
8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
3. God’s presence then moved to the Temple built by Solomon.
2 Chronicles 6-7
B. His presence leaves the temple. (Eze. 10) (Cherubim)
1. Exit from the Holy of Holies.
2. Standing at the Threshold. (Order to the man in linen to take the coals)
3. Through the Eastern Gate. (Gate the Ark and the King would come through)
4. Ascending from the Mount of Olives.
C. We are never away from God’s presence.
1. He no longer dwells in Temples made by hands
Acts 7:48 (New King James Version)
48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
2. The presence of God now dwells in those that are the Church
1 Corinthians 6:19 (New King James Version)
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
3. The process is clear of how to be in that Church.
John 14:23 (New King James Version)
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
4. The Holy Spirit is the promise of what is to come
Ephesians 1:13-14 (New King James Version)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[a] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
D. His presence will return.
Ezekiel 43:1-5 (New King James Version)
The Temple, the LORD’s Dwelling Place
1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. 3 It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw—like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. 4 And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east. 5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
Prayer
I love to play peek-a-boo. My grandson Cayden loves to watch as I cover my face and then move my hands and say peek-a-boo. He’ll laugh and laugh. Ever wonder why that works so well at entertaining babies. It’s because they haven’t figured out yet that you really haven’t gone anywhere. I believe we all act a little different when we know that God is Jehovah Shammah; The Lord who is there.
Invitation
