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In Order. He Is There

September 12, 2017. Ezekiel 46-48.

 

These three chapters form the conclusion to the book of Ezekiel.  The first thirty-two chapters of the book dealt with the future judgment of the Lord upon His own people and seven other nations.  Then there is a shift giving His people a hope they can look forward to.  The hope comes to the climax of a new, precisely measured out, temple in their future and a precise division of the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel.

Everything in these three chapters summarize the truth, of this entire book, of the Lord always being in control. Everything points to the people being confident that the Lord, who is always in control, wants the best for His people when they repent.

The final verse, the final words of Ezekiel, are words of hope and comfort for all of God’s people. 

Ezekiel 48:35 "All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE."

Those last four words, the name of this city, are truly some of the most encouraging words for all of God’s people.  David expounds on these four words in one of the great Psalms that is true for all of us as the people of the Lord.

Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

Many, who are reading this in the Houston area, are on the backside of hurricane Harvey.  And if you are reading this, then you know the very truth and comfort of verse 10. This verse does not talk about homes, furniture and vehicles that we may have lost or not lost.  It talks about US, His people who He loves.  In fact the greater the physical disaster that may have surrounded us, the more we can see how His hand led us and His right hand held us. We have, in the most difficult times experienced…

THE LORD IS THERE!

David ends this Psalm with a prayer that we all can pray to our Lord today and each day He is there leading and holding us.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

The Lord is there, and He will answer your prayer.

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more