Jesus – Immanuel

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14

In the Old Testament, the Lord promised King Ahaz that He would give His people a sign. The sign was not only the blessing of the birth of the Messiah, but it was also the promise of His presence. It was all wrapped up in the name “Immanuel”.

In the New Testament, we find the fulfillment of that promise lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. His name was Jesus – and He is Immanuel.

“All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’”

I can think of no more penetrating truth than the fact that God is with us. He is not some distant being who has plopped us down on planet earth to try to figure this thing out on our own. He hasn’t left us here without hope or direction. He is with us.

There’s an unmistakeable comfort in the fact that the God who spoke this world into being is personally involved in our lives and assures us of His presence no matter what we’re going through. There’s also an unshakeable reality that His presence calls us to live holy lives. Knowing we can’t escape the view of God reminds us of our ultimate accountability to Him. But it also enourages our fearful and hurting hearts to know we are not alone. We have never escaped the view of God – not even for a second.

I’m not sure where you are in this season of your life? Perhaps you’re afraid, lonely or feel as if you’re invisible. I want you to know that God is with you. You are not alone – not even for a second. Curl up at your Savior’s feet and allow Him to lift you up and wrap His loving arms around you. He loves you with an ever lasting love. You are enscribed on the palm of His hand. You are the apple of His eye and the affection of His heart. He is with you.

Like the disciples in Matthew 8 who feared they would be swallowed up by the sea, Jesus is with you to speak peace to your storm and to speak peace to your heart in the midst of your storm.

Perhaps you need to be reminded that He is with you because you’re dabbling with sin and His presence is a reminder that it’s not worth it. I pray you will listen to the still small voice that may be calling you away from that which will never satisfy to that which will never let you down.

We don’t always know how to do this thing called life. We don’t always get it right. We struggle with living well. But God is with us (Immanuel), my friend. And that’s all we need to know.

What does God’s presence mean to you? Have you been feeling far from God lately? I would count it an honor to pray for you.

I’m so excited about this series and taking the time to get to know Jesus more. He is Immanuel and so much more. I hope you’ll subscribe and join me in this journey.