September 11, 2023

Matthew 1: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means, “God with us.” (NIV)

He will be with you in trouble all day and through the night.*

Throughout the Old Testament, we find God making promises to be with someone. For example:

·  Exodus 3: 12 – God promises to be with Moses as he leads the people of Israel out of Egypt.

·  Joshua 1: 9 – God calms Joshua’s fears as he succeeds Moses as the leader of the Israelite nation.

·  Isaiah 43: 2 -  The prophet Isaiah shares God’s promise to be with Israel through flood and fire.

In the book of Hebrews, an Old Testament promise is brought forward to offer hope to God’s people today: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13: 5; Deuteronomy 31: 6) But the promise that applies to all of us – and offers us the most hope – is found as the New Testament opens, in one of the titles given to Jesus our Savior: Immanuel. God with us. It is a constant reminder that we will never be abandoned by him.

And just in case we need further assurance, Jesus chose to reiterate the promise in his last recorded words on earth: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 20) Sometimes we may feel lonely but we are never alone. Surely.

Have you ever felt as though God has forsaken you? . . . [Y]ou are in very good company. . . Jesus felt that way at one time too.*