Do you only associate the name Immanuel (God is With Us) with Christmas story? The term God is with Us is used other places in the Bible and appears in one of my favorite verses. Deuteronomy 31:6 “ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” I find great comfort in knowing that now matter what God is with me!

The ones we are most familiar with are those prophesies in Isaiah about the coming Messiah. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” and in Matthew 1:23 when the angel appeared and spoke to Joseph in a dream, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” Joseph would have know of the prophecy of Isaiah and hearing it from the angel must have been an amazing affirmation of his faith and the truth of God’s Word. Knowing that the long awaited Messiah would be coming and that he would have a part in God’s story must have been humbling.

The term, God is with us, is used again in Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Looking at these passages, what does the term Immanuel or God is With Us mean to you? I see it as the physical Jesus that came to earth as our Savior and also the concept of Immanuel-God is with us. I can take both of them as truth. Jesus did come and thankfully will come again. In the meantime, we can know the God is with us. In the Old Testament times, Moses encouraged Joshua who was to lead the people after him, that God would be with him. No matter what he see or hears, he was to have courage and know that God would never leave him and definitely would not forsake him. The author of Hebrews want the early Christians to be encouraged but also to be aware of the snares and pitfalls that exist in the world. He did not want them consumed with worldly pursuits and pleasure but the focus on being content and relying upon God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be assured of God’s continual presence and His indwelling Holy Spirit that will never leave me. By faith we are His and He is not going to relinquish us ever. Claim John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” and 2 Timothy 1:14 “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” Hold onto these eternal truths! God keeps His promises and will be with us always.

Linda