The God who is Jehovah Shammah
Ezekiel 48:35
St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
May 17, 2026
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes
“I look at the stars and wonder. How old is the universe? . . . All we know is that once upon a time, or, rather, once before time, Christ called everything into being in a great breath of creativity—waters, land, green growing things, birds and beasts, and finally human creatures—the beginning, the genesis, not in ordinary Earth days; the Bible makes it quite clear that God’s time is different from our time. A thousand years for us is no more than the blink of an eye to God. But in God’s good time, the universe came into being, opening up from a tiny flower of nothingness to great clouds of hydrogen gas to swirling galaxies. In God’s good time came solar systems and planets, and ultimately this planet on which I stand this autumn evening as the Earth makes its graceful dance around the sun. It takes one Earth Day, one Earth night, to make a full turn, part of the intricate pattern of the universe. And God called it good, very good.
A sky full of God’s children! Each galaxy, each star, each living creature, every particle and sub-atomic particle of creation, we are all children of the Maker. From a sub-atomic particle with a life span of a few seconds, to a galaxy with a life span of billions of years, to us human creatures somewhere in the middle in size and age, we are . . . children of God, made in God’s image. The God who knows the DNA of our being and who carefully places each planet and galaxy in orbit, is ever-present with us” (author Madeleine L’Engle (1918–2007).
Ezekiel 48:35
“And the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.”
Introduction
Life often brings moments when people feel abandoned, forgotten, or alone. In times of suffering, uncertainty, grief, or fear, one question rises in the heart: “Where is God?”
The closing words of Ezekiel answer that question with hope and power: Jehovah Shammah — “The Lord Is There.”
This name reveals a God who does not desert His people. He is present in every season, every battle, and every circumstance.
1. God’s Presence Brings Comfort
Israel had experienced exile, destruction, and loss. Jerusalem had fallen, and many felt separated from God. Yet Ezekiel ends his prophecy not with judgment, but with restoration.
Jehovah Shammah reminds us:
God is present in sorrow.
God is near to the brokenhearted.
God does not walk away from His people.
Even when circumstances change, His presence remains constant.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
When friends fail, when strength fades, and when answers are few, God says:
“I am there.”
2. God’s Presence Gives Peace
Many people seek peace through possessions, success, or relationships, yet still feel empty. True peace is found not merely in changed circumstances but in the presence of God.
Moses understood this when he said:
“If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15)
The greatest blessing is not wealth or comfort — it is God Himself. With that in mind, how are you investing in the Kingdom of God? Financial analysts tell us that we’re living in times of great transference of wealth. The Baby Boomer generation, individuals who were born from 1946 to 1964, is transferring over a trillion dollars to their children, grandchildren, or to benevolent causes, not-for-profit efforts. How are you ensuring that the work of God has the necessary resources to proclaim the message of salvation to humanity? After all, it is He who gives us the power to obtain wealth. Yes, we want to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the best homes, vehicles, and financial resources, but what about their spiritual lives? He who wins souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30). Jesus reminds us: “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Jehovah Shammah means:
In confusion — He is there.
In anxiety — He is there.
In the storm — He is there.
Jesus echoed this promise:
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
3. God’s Presence Produces Transformation
Where God is present, lives change.
Fear becomes faith.
Weakness becomes strength.
Sin gives way to holiness.
The presence of God transforms ordinary people into powerful witnesses.
When Isaiah encountered God’s presence, he cried:
“Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
When God is truly among His people:
worship becomes alive,
hearts are healed,
and lives are renewed.
Jehovah Shammah is not just a title — it is a life-changing reality.
4. God’s Presence Is Fulfilled in Christ
The ultimate expression of “The Lord Is There” is found in Jesus Christ.
John 1:14 says:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
God did not remain distant. He came near. Jesus is Emmanuel — “God with us.”
Through Christ:
we have access to God,
we are never alone,
and the Holy Spirit dwells within believers.
The promise of Jehovah Shammah is fulfilled daily in the life of every believer.
Conclusion
Ezekiel closes with a city called:
“THE LORD IS THERE.”
That is heaven’s promise and the believer’s hope.
No matter where you are today:
in pain,
in uncertainty,
in spiritual struggle,
or in joy,
remember this truth:
Jehovah Shammah — The Lord is there.
He is present to save, restore, guide, strengthen, and comfort His people.
On the edge of a small village in the mountains of Nepal lived an old carpenter named Arun. Every morning, before the sun touched the snowy peaks, he whispered the same prayer:
“God, if You are here, let me see You today.”
But each evening he returned home disappointed. No visions. No miracles. Only the sound of his hammer and the cold mountain wind.
One winter morning, a storm swept through the village. Snow buried the roads, and most people stayed inside. As Arun opened his workshop, he saw a shivering stray dog curled beside his door. He sighed, wrapped it in an old blanket, and fed it warm rice.
Later that day, a hungry child appeared asking for firewood. Arun gave away half his stack, though it meant he would sleep in the cold.
By nightfall, an exhausted traveler knocked at his door. Arun welcomed him in, shared his soup, and offered his own bed.
The next morning, Arun knelt beside his window and prayed again.
“God, why have I never seen You?”
And in the quiet of the room, a gentle thought rose in his heart:
“I came to you three times yesterday. You wrapped Me in a blanket, shared your fire, and gave Me your bed.”
For the first time in many years, Arun smiled. The mountains outside looked no different, but the world suddenly felt full of God’s presence.
Let us pray.
“Lord, thank You for being Jehovah Shammah — the God who is always present. Help us to trust You in every season of life. Let Your presence bring peace to troubled hearts, strength to the weak, and hope to the discouraged. Draw us closer to You and let our lives reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”