Immanuel – God with Us

Scripture:   Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.    Matthew 1:23 - Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.

From Isaiah 7:14, Immanuel means “God with us”.  Isaiah’s words to Ahaz had the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ as Matthew 1:23 states.  Immanuel, which is a Hebrew word, expresses the awesomeness of incarnation – that God became flesh and dwelled among us.  John 1:14 says – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  I Timothy 3:16 says – “And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”  

Despite all that we are going through, to know that God is with us is so encouraging and comforting as David knew in Psalms 23.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4).   God is not out to destroy us.  He came to earth personally in Jesus to save us.  John 3:16-17 says - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  

For those who have invited Jesus Christ into their lives, God is with us literally and personally!!!  Ephesians 1:13 says -  “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”  I Corinthians 6:19 says – “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”  God’s Holy Spirit lives inside of us!  Hallelujah!!

Since God has experienced what it is like to be human, He understands how we feel when we are discouraged, lonely, tempted, and when we are grieving.  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  “God is with us, and He desires that we seek His face, pray, and daily read/study His Word.  “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).   Always remember that no matter what you are going through, God is with you.  Trust Him.  Rely on Him.  Believe in Him.  Obey Him.  Rest in Him.  

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  I am so grateful that I have a personal relationship with You.  No matter what I am facing, You are with me.  I could not make it without You in my life.  Thank You for being so good to me.  Help me to always do Your will.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)