We get an evite. We reply “accept” as we intend to attend. The host expects us. It is a confirmation, a YES vote, a sure thing that we will come.
But circumstances change and our best intentions are interrupted so that we may not show up as planned. The response becomes “sorry” instead of “for sure.” Welcome to humanity and its disappointments.

The one friend we can always count on is God. When He says “Lo, I am with you always,” He is there. When He isolates Moses on the backside of the desert and appears in a burning bush, the message He gives is “CERTAINLY I will be with you.” Now THAT is a FOR SURE answer.

When He promises “I will come again,” He will. Certainly.

The challenge to “seize the day” is based on the best practices of time management. We evaluate our life journey one step at a time. If “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,” then each step has a purpose which moves us along to the final destination.
Sometimes we get impatient- we want to run when we should slow down and walk. Sometimes we get stubborn and refuse to move when we should be making continual progress. Sometimes the road is very clear and bright, but sometimes it is very dark and scary.
“Where am I ?” at any given point in the Christian walk is in the NOW. Whatever the assignment is for the moment, “do it heartily as unto the Lord.” The baby steps are just as important as the giant leaps if they are taken in God’s cadence.
Don’t get ahead of Him and don’t fall behind. “Seize the day,” enjoy the security that Christ is with you, in you, all around you, and a step ahead of you. “Walk circumspectly” is a call to awareness. “GO” is the verb. Make the most of every minute – enjoy the blessings, resist the enemy, and “keep your eyes on the prize.” What a trip!

There are a few descriptive terms in the Old Testament that tell us about the character of God as He relates to human beings. There is “Jehovah-Jireh,” which means the Lord provides. “Jehovah-Rapha” is the Lord that heals, and “Jehovah-Shalom” is the Lord our peace. We declare His leadership as “Jehovah-Nissi,” the Lord our banner.  All these terms were used in reference to the God of the Israelites as He led them through the wilderness into the promised land.

He is still “Jehovah-(all these things)” to us in the New Testament. He still provides, He still heals, and He is still our peace. If we allow Him to captain our souls and fight our battles as we are instructed to, He is still our banner. We are New Testament pilgrims on a journey to heaven, to the promised land. This city of our destination is the New Jerusalem where God is… and that is the descriptive term Ezekiel uses, “Jehovah-Shammah.” It means the Lord is there.

Where else would we want to be? Would we really want to go where the Lord is NOT there? Think of how scary and desolate it is to be separated from God. Have you ever felt like He was far away? Jesus screamed the Psalmist’s prophetic verse that illustrates the worst of all possible conditions of the human soul: “my God, why have you forsaken me?” There is no place as empty and lonely as the place without God. Conversely, there is no place so fulfilling and complete as where the Lord is. That is where we want to be: Jehovah-shammah.

Whoever the Lord proves Himself to be in your life today, whether it is to provide your needs, or heal your hurts, or comfort you with His peace, know that He is there with you. “My presence shall go before you.” “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Go to Him and find He is Jehovah-shammah, and be encouraged even in the worst of circumstances. Know that “He cares for you.”

“The Lord bless and keep you

the Lord make His face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn His face toward you

and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26

Jehovah-shammah..the Lord is there.