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Do you ever long for a far-off distant future where there will be no more heartbreak? This
world is full of trouble, and we bear the burden of living in a sin-pocked world. Yet, there is
hope for today and the future promise of eternity where there will be no more sighing or
sorrow of heart. What a glorious day!
We can walk in God’s glory while we wrestle with broken relationships, sickness of body and
soul, and those numbing, everyday tasks. But how? There are so many conditions in this world
that wedge between us and God. I imagine the Israelites felt a similar kind of despair during
their exile in Babylon. Their captors destroyed their city and temple, and their own rebellious
hearts separated them from God.
We can find ourselves in a similar situation where our sinful desires hold us captive, and God
feels far off. Other times, our situations drive us into a spiritual wilderness, and we wonder
when refreshment will come. Our circumstances and our hearts can tell us that God does not
care and that he is beyond our reach. Yet, there is hope!
The Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, encouraged the Israelites when he gave the Israelites the
promise that one day God will live eternally with his people: “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.”
(Ezekiel 48:35, ESV) As a result of God’s real and eternal presence, his people will never again
experience the pains and troubles from their former lives on earth.
We have our future hope of eternity to look forward to along with the truth that God will never
leave us or forsake us in the present. The Lord is omnipresent, which means everywhere at the
same time. He is present in your wilderness and in your green pastures. He’s present in your
happiest times and in your most heartbreaking times. Reject the idea that God abandons you
when things get hard. He is with you and for you. He is Jehovah Shammah—The Lord who is
present.
Prayer of A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) to
Jehovah Shammah, The Lord Who is Present
Adoration
Lord, we praise your name! We are grateful that you are Jehovah Shammah. You give us the
greatest gift we could ever want—your presence. Because of your presence we can praise you
when we face storms of various kind.
Confession
Forgive us Lord when we forget that you are with us. We don’t want to abandon you because
we’ve wrongly assumed you’ve left us.
Thanksgiving
Thank you that you are present and that you promise to never leave us or forsake us.
Supplication
Lord, there are situations where your presence feels hidden because our eyes are so filled with
the hardship in front of us. Help us turn our eyes toward you and let us remember that you are
The Lord Who is Present. Help us draw near when life brings sorrow and pain.
About Jessica...
Jessica Van Roekel loves the upside-down life of following Jesus as she journeys to wholeness through brokenness. As an author, speaker, and worship leader, she uses her gifts and experiences to share God’s transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything. Jessica and her husband have two adult daughters spreading their wings, and two high schoolers, a son and daughter, fluttering their wings as they edge closer to the nest. Connect with her at https://welcomegrace.com.
Warrior Woman Blog
Hello beautiful Warrior Woman! Has God spoken to your heart today through this blog post? Let me know - I would love to hear from you! If you are viewing this post on my website and have not yet subscribed to my email list, be sure to do so to receive monthly blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. You will also get to download my free devotional resource on the spiritual discipline of the Word of God entitled, Abide in the Word!
About Patrice
Championing women to live authentically and pursue God passionately, Patrice Burrell is called to lead others to the grace of God, rooted in the truth of scripture. She is a blogger, author, life coach, and worship leader who loves practicing the presence of God through a lifestyle anchored in spiritual disciplines. As a Bible teacher and preacher, she exhorts women to remember their true identity is defined in Christ, not culture. When not serving at her local church with the small groups and singles' ministries, Patrice enjoys visiting local Orlando attractions, reading books while sitting along the beach, and finding unique ways to explore her writing creativity. You can connect with Patrice on her blog, Warrior Woman Blog, on social media in her Facebook community, Warrior Women, and @patriceburrellministries on Facebook and Instagram. Patrice is excited about her new release of her second book, Living My Best Life: Embracing God’s Gift of Living Full and Single. It is a six-session Bible study designed especially for single women. You can also check out her debut book, Warrior Slay, a devotional book on the power of worship and prayer.
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