LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

I read yesterday’s daily writing from my brother Don this morning – I know a day late! I had to chuckle because the thought was the same as what I had chosen to write today’s blog about. He has given me permission to use what I want from it to help with my thoughts today. So, the few of you who receive from both of us….

No doubt Joseph had concerns about his betrothed, Mary, being pregnant! He was going to divorce her quietly until the angel of the Lord appeared to him changing his perspective and understanding of what was happening. The pregnancy was the result of a miraculous fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah had explained exactly what was to happen in order for the Messiah to be brought into the world. People would “call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”. The prophecy was clear that Jesus is God and was sent to earth to be with us and save us from our sins.

Read what my brother, Don, wrote about the Incarnation (God with us). “The doctrine of the incarnation is a vital today as it was in the first century. The incarnation is a mysterious miracle, it is central to the New Testament witness and to the message of Christianity. To deny the divine-human Savior is not Christianity, but as John wrote, “antichrist.” It is a mystery as the Trinity, perhaps even more so but it is vital to the message of Christ. The Trinity and the Incarnation belong together. The Trinity declares that the man Jesus is truly divine. The Incarnation declares that the divine Jesus is truly human. Explain it…it is a mystery; it requires belief rather than explanation. It is a product of Infinite, therefore beyond analysis by finite man” (E.S. Williams).”

To be honest, I am thankful Don wrote this because I was going to explain that my mind could not comprehend that “God is with us”. It is like so much of the Believer’s walk with the Lord that must be accepted by faith. May I tell you that when a person asks Immanuel into their life as Savior and Lord, he/she will never be separated from His love. Romans 8:38-39 remind us, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

When one is born-again, He comes to live within them. Take time to read John 14:23. His presence within us assures us we can accomplish His purpose for our lives and overcome the fears and distractions that come our way as we walk the narrow way. “God with us” tells me we can pray without ceasing and He will certainly hear our prayers, answering them as only He knows to be best and at the best possible time. It reminds me that we walk each day with Him by faith and trusting Him to lead us; He is always with us wanting us to commune with Him and wants to commune with us. He gives comfort when comfort is needed, and I believe He rejoices when we rejoice.

There is no greater privilege than knowing “Immanuel”. There is no greater knowledge than knowing “God is with us” in these times we face. As we go through this season that many only look for that ultimate present, are only concerned about what to have for the family meal or have the frustration of when to be with whom, take a moment to consider that “the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.””  What a mystery that God sent His Son to be with all who believe not only when we get to heaven but right now.