DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
“The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on will be: The Lord Is There.” (Ezekiel 48:35)
Some of my most precious memories are my early experiences as a follower of Christ. When Christ first became a reality in my life, I wanted everyone to know what had taken place. I wanted all my friends and family to know the Savior who had changed and forgiven me. Soon after I came to know Christ, several of my friends also came to a personal knowledge of the Savior.
We began meeting together early in the morning, spending time in prayer. We would read the Bible and memorize Scripture verses. There was such a sweetness about God’s presence in those early meetings with God. The aroma of His presence still lingers with me. It was amazing that the God who created the universe would manifest Himself to me in those quiet moments.
Each morning my heart was filled and overflowing. There were no great flashes of lightening or crashes of thunder. There was the simple, quiet presence of God. But there was something I didn’t know at that time: God would lead me to every corner of this planet to proclaim His name. And the great wonder and thrill I would discover is that He would be present — no matter where I went or what I encountered.
I’ve been arrested three times for proclaiming the gospel. I’ve walked into a revolution, the aftermath of an attempted genocide, and been in the middle of nations torn by war and ethnic hatred. I’ve been threatened with bombings and had knives put to my throat and guns pointed at me. But God has always been there with me. He has been Jehovah Shammah: God, who is ever present. I’ve met Him when I’ve seen tremendous and exciting things taking place — and also when I’ve been at the point of discouragement. He’s consistently revealed Himself as Jehovah Shammah.
We first see the name Jehovah Shammah (God who is ever present) in the last chapter of Ezekiel. The prophet spoke that a city should be built. and its name should be called Jehovah Shammah. It was a message that God’s people needed at that moment. They were in desperate need of encouragement. And there’s no better encouragement than to know that God is with you.
Yet as followers of Christ, we have an even more incredible promise. Before Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, He told His disciples to go into all the world and make disciples of the nations. Then He promised them, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). His presence isn’t confined to the four walls of a city. He’s promised that His presence will be with us — no matter where we go or what we face. He will be present in the inner recesses of our hearts. Hallelujah! In the midst of defeat, He will be there. In the throes of discouragement, He will be there. On the mountaintops of victory, He will be there. In the face of danger, He will be there. In times of trials, He will be there. He is certainly Jehovah Shammah: God, who is ever present.
Ezekiel : Chapter 48
30) “These will be the exits of the city: Beginning on the north side, which is 4,500 cubits long, 31) the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi. 32) “On the east side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin and the gate of Dan. 33) “On the south side, which measures 4,500 cubits, will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar and the gate of Zebulun. 34) “On the west side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher and the gate of Naphtali. 35) “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits.[f] “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.”
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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