SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 48
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE. [Ezekiel 48:35]
Ezekiel is describing the restoration of God’s special relationship with His people.
Ever since humanity was separated from God in the garden, God has been at work reconciling this broken relationship, bringing Himself back to the center of our hearts, and of this world.
The city here is a symbol for God’s restored family, and creation.
All of His children (symbolized by the twelve tribes of Israel, but including all nations brought in through the gospel witness of the twelve apostles) are included, and He is at the center of it all.
On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel… The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. [Revelation 21:12,14]

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” [Matthew 18:20]
This is what the whole story of the bible is about: God restoring His presence at the center of His family, restoring His kingdom on earth, His creation paradise.
Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. [John 14:23]
God makes His home with us, in us; we are the temple of the living God.

As we read through Ezekiel, it’s easy to get bogged down by the old covenant details and prophetic judgments, but through it all remember the heart of God.
He loves us, He wants to restore us, He hates what sin does to us and our world, and will pay a huge price to rescue us.
He looks forward to the day when He can live among us, and be welcome among us.
The day when every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, and every heart joyfully welcome the Lord’s presence.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [Revelation 21:3]
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [Revelation 21:22]

This is God’s heart, and this explains His pain and anger at the rebellion and rejection of those He loves.
And this explains His rejoicing when His people repent and receive Him again!
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. [Luke 15:22-24]

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your presence in my life now already. But I especially look forward to when the reconciliation is complete, and when it will be said of me, and of all people, and all creation, THE LORD IS THERE!