When YOU Feel All Alone.....

[WISDOM]

DO YOU ever feel alone or abandoned? Have YOU (yes YOU) ever gone through difficult circumstances and felt like everyone has deserted YOU, including GOD?

Well listen.....when YOU feel that way, you need to get to know our FATHER by the name JEHOVAH SHAMMAH. When translated this name means "The LORD is There". Our FATHER revealed HIMSELF by this name during the time of the prophet Ezekiel. The Israelites were in the 70 years of Babylonian captivity.

Ezekiel used prophecies, parables, and visions to dramatize GOD's message to HIS exiled people. Probably one of the most famous passages in the book of Ezekiel is the vision of dry bones. The nation of Israel was like a "valley of dry bones" that GOD would breathe life into again. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylonia, destroyed Jerusalem in three stages. First, he invaded Judah in 606 B.C., carrying off key leaders including the prophet Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Eight years later, Judah revolted and Nebuchadnezzar took away ANOTHER 10,000 hostages, including Ezekiel. By taking prominent leaders, he hoped to govern Judah.

But eleven (11) years later, in 586 B.C., Judah revolted again. After a three-year siege Nebuchadnezzar devastated Jerusalem and the Temple, killing or deporting thousands of people (2 Kings 25). Upon hearing of the destruction of the Temple, the Jewish exiles were convinced that GOD had deserted them and there was NO HOPE of deliverance (Read Psalm 137, and you can kind of get the feel of what they were feeling). Jerusalem and the Holy Temple, where they had sung glad songs of praise to our FATHER, now was all in a pile of rubble! It was in these circumstances that GOD gave Ezekiel a vision of the future, regardless of how callous their captors were acting (Psalm 137:3), of the destroyed Jerusalem (Ezekiel 48:30-35). This prophecy of the "New Jerusalem" describes the 12 city gates, three on each side, paralleling Revelation Chapter 21.

The most remarkable thing about the New Jerusalem will be the presence of the LORD. GOD's GLORY had departed the city because of Israel's sin. In this vision Ezekiel saw that GOD would restore the city in a way that would far EXCEED any of its previous glory. In other words, GOD will be present with HIS people in a NEW and BETTER way!! The Bible teaches that YOU and I do not have to wait until the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy to enjoy and be encouraged by the LORD's presence. You see, the primary thing that makes our FATHER, JEHOVAH GOD different from ALL pagan religions is that JEHOVAH dwells among HIS people. The condition of HIS continued presence and protection was that HIS people be OBEDIENT to HIS Commandments, living HOLY and MORAL lives. This was in contrast to the surrounding pagan gods whose worship involved cruelty and sexual immorality (sound familiar?!). Our FATHER has ALWAYS promised to be present with HIS people.

After Moses led HIS people out of Egyptian bondage, received the Ten Commandments, and built the Tabernacle, he asked GOD what he was to do next and who would be with him to help. Read Exodus 33:14 and it reveals that the result of being aware of the LORD's presence in our lives is REST. YOU and I often get worn out or "burnout" in life from carrying our burdens alone because we DON'T KNOW our Heavenly FATHER as JEHOVAH SHAMMAH. By this Name, HE lets us know HE is ALWAYS present with us and is our source of courage and strength AS WE DO HIS WILL.

One very important thing to know about our FATHER in this name is that HE always completes what HE starts. Sometimes by looking at the circumstances in our lives, it might seem that GOD's plan for our lives is in ruins. I recently experienced this. However, it is then we need to remember HIS promises such as Philippians 1:6. No matter where YOU are in life right now, our FATHER is there with YOU and has much more to give YOU than YOU can ever imagine. When I had a recent setback HE reassured me that what the Enemy had setup for my destruction GOD was turning around for my good! (Jeremiah 29:11) Listen.....what ever past mistakes you've made, whatever failures have occurred in YOUR life keep this one thought in mind....our FATHER was there with YOU all the time and knows YOUR heart. YOU need to make a determination to NOT look back and press on forward, entrusting all to our FATHER. Thank HIM for the promise in HIS Word that NO MATTER where YOU are in life, HE will be there with you to guide, direct and protect. HE will help YOU to be an overcomer! Why? Because HE loves YOU and is BIGGER than any problem you and I may face!

When YOU feel deserted by HIM because YOUR "Jerusalem" (the way you use to worship and serve HIM) seems in ruins, remember.....GOD will finish what HE has started in YOUR life. It will begin by an awareness of HIS presence in YOUR life to give YOU the strength and courage to be all HE saved YOU to be. HE may allow you to be broken down to deeply remorseful tears of guilt and/or sorrow, but I assure YOU that HE will put HIS loving arms around YOU and wrap you up and pull YOU to HIM like the loving FATHER HE is. In my darkest hour HE has proven time and time again to be the LIGHT showing me the right way. When we look at our country and our communities we see what seem to be insurmountable problems with drugs, sexual immorality, and violence (I am so thankful for true men of GOD like Judge Roy Moore). When it looks as though the Evil One is destroying what is decent and good, and we seem threatened we need to remember what our FATHER says in 1 John 4:4. When we feel that we have been deserted by our LORD in a world that is clearly becoming MORE PERMISSIVE and IMMORAL, a land of spiritual captivity, we need to remember what our FATHER says in Psalm 139:8.

HIS Word teaches us that we, HIS children are NEVER out of HIS presence, because HE dwells WITHIN us. If HE doesn't seem as close to YOU as HE once was, guess who moved?! It definitely WASN'T HIM!!! YOU, yes YOU have moved away from the things that made YOU aware of HIS presence. When we pray we are more aware of our FATHER's presence in our lives and HE is better able to guide and strengthen us. This includes Bible study, church attendance, and living a HOLY life. All these things must be present in our lives IF we are to get to know our FATHER as JEHOVAH SHAMMAH.

Though I often forget it as a result of letting life wear me down, the truth is my LORD is near me ALL the time! I'll leave YOU with this thought......If YOU don't feel the closeness of our FATHER, read James 4:8 and meditate upon it. Let it sink into YOUR heart. Ask GOD to cleanse whatever impure things are in your heart and being manifested in your daily life open to others. Whatever caused YOU to move away from HIM, Confess it, and Forsake it! Then YOU will sense HIS nearness again. If YOU feel all alone in the midst of adverse circumstances, you need to be involved in doing those things that make you aware of GOD's presence. A guilty conscience hinders communication with our FATHER (1 John 3:21). Repent.....again repent , get it right with our FATHER (1 John 1:9). Don't let the regrets of yesterday destroy the hopes of tomorrow. Our FATHER is always there with us, waiting to restore what the Enemy has stolen. Accept HIS mercy, love and forgiveness. DO IT NOW! *smile*