Our series “Who Is Jesus?” continued Sunday at The Community Fellowship, and we talked about the depth of one of the names of God, Immanuel. For those who choose to purse Jesus, this name brings joy, encouragement and great strength.
Isaiah 7:14 NLT
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’).
Here is God with us. Here is Jesus, the sent one. Here is the one who will save His people from their sins. Here is the one who destined for the cross and will show that life is meant to be lived with grace.
Our Jesus is the gift from heaven and from God. Distinguish this as the most perfect and most important Christmas gift of all. But remember that a gift that is never opened and never enjoyed really isn’t a gift.
He is with us. That is Immanuel. Dig a little deeper in to what that means.
Psalm 23:4 NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Fear goes away. The thought or feeling that we are alone is gone. The darkest times aren’t dark anymore. The distance between you and the one you worship is not much distance at all.
Stop spending time in the dark and especially in the darkest of valleys. Stop considering death as a friend or your freedom. Our best friend is Jesus, the one who is with us. Our greatest freedom is found in Jesus, the one sent by God to be with us.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Since He is with us we don’t fight alone nor do we face our battles or enemies alone. Our enemy wants us to think we are alone when we never really are.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Be strong. When you are with someone who is strong and who is a protector, your confidence grows in grand ways. There is no reason to be afraid when we know and put in to practice the fact that Immanuel, God Himself, is with us!
Take a few minutes today, and this week, to take in the names that are associated with Jesus at Christmas time. They are His names and His character all the time, not just in this season. He is with us always. That means a lot!
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Comments