Immanuel

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. _{Isaiah 7:14}

God is with His children, always – Always was – Always is – Always will be.

Past – The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you (Jos3:7). No matter how many times the Israelites wandered from God, He never left them. When the king of Assyria invaded Judah, king Hezekiah reassured the people with these words, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God (2Chr32).

Present – Jesus said, “observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mat28:20)

Future – And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “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 with them as their God.” (Rev21:3)

The birth of Jesus was the fulfilment of God’s promise to a wayward people. First and foremost, He came to be their Saviour and Redeemer, but in being called Immanuel, God was assuring us of His presence with us at all times. He was not a remote Deity, inaccessible and invisible. He was a tangible, real presence “which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands” proclaimed John, that we all might have fellowship with Him.

May you all have a blessed Christmas and may you experience the presence of God with you in your life, in your home, in your fellowship and in everything that you do.