Always There

O. T. #1954  "Always There"

June 2, 2021

Ezekiel 48-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Has someone deserted you? Do you feel all alone? If so, read on to find the One who is always there, who never leaves, nor forsakes.

In Psalm 84, the psalmist sings of the descendants of Korah (second wife of Moses) refers to God as the LORD of Hosts, four times (verses 1, 3, 8, 12)

He is LORD of Armies, the all-powerful One who commands hosts of unconquerable angelic forces. (Tony Evans) 

God's omnipotence over all powers in heaven and earth is in reference here, as His angelic army is at His call. Can you imagine the joy of the pilgrims traveling up to Jerusalem to worship God in the Temple and celebrate one of the feasts?

Blessed (happy) is used 3 times to describe the worshipers. what makes them happy?

• They dwell in Thy house.
• They will be always singing and praising God. (verse 4)
• Their strength is in God.  (verse 5)
• The Valley of Weeping, Baaca, will become a place of refreshing springs. (verse 6)
• They will grow stronger. (verse 7)
• Everyone will appear before God. (verse 7)
• God is their shield. (verse 9)

Do we enter God's house with singing and praising of Him, not only on Sunday, but every day. (Ps. 100) Is God our strength to carry on? Is Jesus our refreshing spring of Living Water for our soul? Is He our shield of protection?

Everyone will one day appear before God. Are you ready? 

LET IT GROW

Here we are wrapping up a 5 month in-depth study of this book, where God allows the Prophet Ezekiel to look into future events. Isn't it great that during the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus Jewish people will believe He is the Messiah. We know that the first time He came to earth, they rejected Jesus as the Son of God and Savior. But during these future 1,000 year reign of King Jesus, they and all people, will serve His as Lord and King. Who is Jesus Christ to you, friend?

Israel drifted into sin because they began to erase the difference between holy and unholy, clean and unclean (Lev. 10:10), as well as becoming like the pagan nations around them. Jerusalem and the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian army as God's judgment upon Judah/Israel. As children of God, we must be careful to not call evil good, and good evil, put darkness for light, and light for darkness. (Isaiah 5:20).

Then, during this new time, in the New Temple, the people will obey what God has told them in His Word. Rebellion, unbelief,  and idol worship will be no more. All people during this time will realize that for only Jesus paid the price for them. Do we stop and recognize all that Jesus did for us?

We just learned that the Promised Land will be returned to Israel's possession as it will be distributed among the 12 tribes of Israel. The grace and mercy of God will be seen and experienced as Israel receives a wonderful land, a perfect law, and a glorious Lord.

We found out that the glory of God will return into His Temple. Now, take a look at verse 35, the last verse in this book:

It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is There.  

The title is Jehovah Shammah, The LORD is There. This city will be under the perfect, righteous rule of its rightful King. It will be restored when King Jesus returns to claim His rightful place as King and Lord and establishes His Millennial Kingdom and reigns on the throne for a thousand years. Can we even imagine what that will be like? Peace, no sin, no jealousy, no strife, no killings, only loving, kind, and submissive to authority , people will live there. Wow! Heaven on earth because Jesus is there!

the Hebrew exiles must have wondered if the Lord would ever be with them again. Ezekiel shared this vision with those while still living in and under the Babylonian rule.

A new Temple, a new city, and a new people. Have you been made new in Christ through His accepting the salvation He provides? Will you come to the altar in your heart and submit to Jesus as Lord of your life today? Simply ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart. He will. (1John 1:9)

The pressures of everyday life may cause us to focus on the here and now and thus forget God. That is why worship is so important. It takes our eyes off our current worries, gives us a glimpse of God's holiness, and allows us to look toward His future Kingdom. God's presence makes everything glorious, and worship brings us into His presence. (Life Application Study Bible)

What a day that will be! Are you ready? Are your loved ones going to heaven, if His return lingers? We better get ready!

[Resources: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary,

LET IT GO

Refresh our soul and fill us with the joy of Thy salvation, Jesus.

Thank You for always being there for us and with us.

Fill us with Your strength to carry on one more day for Your glory, Lord of Hosts.