Immanuel—God is still with us!

"'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, NKJV)

We often read this verse during the Christmas season, but it comes from a time in history that was anything but what most would consider "Christmas-like." Two kings, Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel, had conspired against Judah and decided to attack Jerusalem, stirring mortal fear in the heart of Ahaz, king of Judah (see Isaiah 7:2).

How does this verse then, this promise that a son would be born, fit into this time frame? Remember...the fulfillment of the promise didn't come to pass until about seven hundred years later!

Do you know what I firmly believe? I think that God wanted to establish a sign at that moment to empower His people to stand strong in Him! This incredible promise would carry them through many difficult and tumultuous times. Still today, its fulfillment in the person of Jesus does the same for us!

For the people at that time, this verse meant, "A virgin will get pregnant (in the future!) and will have a son. She will name Him Immanuel."

"Immanuel" means "God is with us." He was with the people of that time, at that moment, even before the events came to pass. And for us who live after Jesus came to this Earth as a man, died for our sins, and ascended into heaven, it means that He is still with us and will be with us for all time! (See Matthew 28:20.) God's sign to us still stands!

Do you believe this?

God desires that we have a foothold that will steady us at this very moment and through this time we're living in: "...'If you do not trust, you will not stand.'" (Isaiah 7:9, TLV) Stand firm, therefore, because God is indeed WITH YOU! What a miracle!

You are a miracle!

Déborah

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day. If you would like to receive a daily encouragement and begin 2023 in daily reflection, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day.