God With Us: A Promise, A Comfort, and a Hope
And they shall call his name "Immanuel."
- The promise of the ages
- The comfort in the present
- The hope for all eternity
God with us.
This was God's promise to Joshua as he stood on the edge of the Jordan.
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Preparing for the impossible, crossing a swollen turbulent river, facing giants, deposing kings, Joshua took this promise to heart and stepped into the river. As he witnessed a Red Sea miracle, he led his people into the Land.
God with us.
This was Jesus' promise to his disciples as he looked toward the cross.
I will not leave you as orphans ... The Helper, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things.
Taking hold of this promise these disciples received the Holy Spirit. Peter, filled to overflowing, arose and preached with power and authority leading three thousand into the Kingdom.
God with us.
This was God's assurance and Paul's encouragement to the Corinthian church as they faced suffering and persecution because of their faith.
I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God,and they will be my people.
God with us.
This is Christ's word for us as we face uncertainty, discouragement, pain. A Day is coming when the old will pass away, when cancer will be done, when there will be no more orphans or traffickers, when every wrong will be made right.
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man
he will dwell with them, and they will be his people,
and God himself will be there God,
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning,nor crying,
nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away.
And in this now as we wait and watch and long for the not yet, this promise of the ages gives us comfort in the present, and a certain hope that will not disappoint. God with us.
And they shall call his name, "Immanuel."
What challenges are you facing in this now that this promise of God's presence would help? Do you know how to experience God's presence? How to draw near to God? In addition to reading the Bible, praying, learning to worship, this little book, Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, can help. Easy to read, but so rich, this book will give you a beautiful picture of how to dwell continually in the presence of the Lord. My prayer for you today is that you will take hold of God's Immanuel promise and find Jesus so faithful to be with you. He didn't promise you an easy life, but an accompanied life. God with us.
Matthew 1:23; Joshua 1; Psalm 23:4; John 14:18-26; Acts 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 6:16, Revelation 21:3-4.