EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US!
Isaiah 7:14 AMPC
Therefore the Lord Himself
shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin
shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].
Emmanuel, also spelled
"Immanuel," is a Hebrew word meaning “God with us.” It is composed of
"immanu" (with us) and "El" (God). The term not only
signifies the proximity of God, but the idea that God is present and among His
people in a personal and tangible way.
Emmanuel hinges on Deuteronomy
31:6 — "He will not leave you or forsake you!" That makes it
absolutely certain that God is always with us, “always.”
The Bible is full of
promises of God, but from the very beginning, He’s promised to be with and
remain with us.
The Bible frequently
emphasizes the comforting and powerful truth that God is with us. This idea is
central to both the Old and New Testaments and is expressed in various
ways.
Immanuel is “God with us,”
as Isaiah 7:14 declared: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The
virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” And
Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they
will call him Immanuel” — which means “God with us.”
These verses refer to the
prophecy and fulfilment of Jesus Christ’s birth, showing that God came to dwell
among humanity.
God with us is God’s
assurance of His Presence with us in times of trouble.
Psalm 23:4 says, “Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me...” God will always be with you in every situation.
Isaiah 41:10 promises, “So
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God...” while
Joshua 1:9 says, “...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your
God will be with you wherever you go.”
These verses offer
reassurance that God’s presence brings courage, peace, and strength, especially
in difficult times.
Jesus’ promise to be with us in Matthew 28:20
– “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus promises His continual
presence with His followers, even after His ascension.
The Holy Spirit as God’s
Presence is seen in John 14:16-17 – “And I will ask the Father, and he will
give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of
truth...” The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a constant presence and guide.
Life is hard and there are
so many things waiting to steal our peace and courage. Looking at Immanuel
should give us courage and peace.
Learn to start your day with
the awareness of God’s presence. Begin each morning by acknowledging God’s
presence. A simple prayer like, “Thank You, Lord, for being with me today,” can
set the tone for your day.
The Bible is our life’s
manual; it has all the answers we need for every situation. Meditating on
Scripture is encouraged throughout the Bible. When we do, we must write them on
sticky notes to help us remember or carry them around. Set them as phone wallpapers.
And memorize them for encouragement during tough moments.
Moses understood the
importance of God’s presence, hence his comment in Exodus 33:15, that they
wouldn’t venture out without the presence of God.
In Jesus, God took on human
nature and lived among people. This is emphasized in John 1:14: “The Word
became flesh and made his dwelling among us” — affirming Jesus as the visible,
tangible presence of God on earth.
The promise does not end
with Jesus’ earthly life. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus declares, “And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age,” confirming His ongoing presence
with His followers.
The assurance of “God with
us” runs throughout the Bible. God’s desire to dwell with His people is seen
from the Garden of Eden, through the tabernacle and temple, to the incarnation
in Christ, and ultimately to the promise of dwelling forever with Him in the
New Creation.
This presence provides
comfort, hope, rescue, and strength, especially in times of loneliness or
difficulty, and calls believers to reflect God's love by drawing near to others
in their need.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- When have you personally
experienced God’s presence in a special or unexpected way? Consider moments
when you felt God was truly “with you,” whether in joy, loss, or daily
life.
- How does knowing that God
is always with you (Immanuel) change your response to challenges, loneliness,
or fear? Reflect on specific situations when remembering “God with us” has
brought comfort or courage.
- In what ways might you
take God’s nearness for granted? Are there areas in your life where you forget,
ignore, or diminish the reality that God dwells with you through His
Spirit?
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for
the assurance to always be with me and for guaranteeing that promise with the
presence of your Son Emmanuel, in whose name I pray, amen.
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/womenoflight/episodes/EMMANUEL--GOD-WITH-US-e3622nf
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