Personal Reflection on Jehovah Shammah

One of my favorite parts of the book, "16 Names of God: a Strong Tower to Run to" is the personal reflections. Each of the 16 chapters in the book contains a personal reflection written by a different girl.

These personal reflections are moving! They challenge us. They are thought-provoking and we are better off having read them.

​I want to share one of these with you so that you can get just a bite-sized sample of what to expect when you read "16 Names of God."

I was particularly touched by Nikki's reflection on the name of God Jehovah Shammah. I love her honesty and transparency as she beautifully describes what many of us may feel at some desperate point on our journey of life. Nikki gently reminds us that God never changes and that He will never, never, never leave us!

"This afternoon, as I was driving home from doing errands, the great, undeniable pain, and sadness that I was trying so hard not to feel hit me. 
 
My husband recently accepted a new job in a different state, and we moved abruptly. I lost so much. I felt like I lost everything. The dear friends, the beautiful home I loved… as well as familiarity and comfort.
 
I was trying to be brave for everyone, but at this moment I felt like I couldn’t any longer. Deep down, I felt like God had abandoned me when I needed Him the most. That He had led my family and me here, and now we were on our own.

I didn’t feel His presence anymore; I felt alone, desolate in this new place, sitting in my sorrow.

As I sat there crying in my car, I didn’t know how I would get through this season. But at that moment, a song came on the radio. The lyrics I so desperately needed piercing my heart, reminding me of the truth that God hadn’t left me. He was there, and He wanted this truth to reside in my heart and mind forever through this experience.
 
The Lord is also there for you, too, in your pain and sorrow. Whatever He has called you to, He has never left you. He wants you to know it, even if you don’t feel His presence. 
 
If you find yourself in a place of needing this reminder, you’ll find encouragement in the book of Ezekiel. As a prophet of God, he spoke of the Israelite’s sins and the judgments to come to them.

​Despite their iniquities, God had such good things for them ahead through the provision of their restored Temple. His love for them had never left; therefore, His presence never left them either, no matter what they had done. The truth of Who He is, Jehovah Shammah, always held true.
 
"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
 
God restored the Temple for them and gave it the eternal name the Lord is There. This showed God’s devotion and His everlasting presence among them.
 
He never changes; this holds true to Who He is for you, too. If you are feeling abandoned by God—not feeling His presence or love in your sorrow—know that God has not left you. He is Jehovah Shammah; the Lord is There.
 
No matter what you are walking through, He is always there with you and for you. Nothing can change that truth. He loves you so much.
 
Hold on and keep going. Keep pursuing Him, as He has not stopped being there for you. Stand strong in the truth that He is Jehovah Shammah." --Nikki

Share your personal reflection on the name of God Jehovah Shammah​ in the comments.

Read more: JEHOVAH SHAMMAH: The Lord Is There

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