“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel [God is with us].” 

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

At a time when Ahaz, king of Judah, feared that Syria and the Northern Kingdom would attack, God sent Isaiah to Ahaz to give him a tremendous promise of hope–hope for the nation; in 12-13 years, the two kings of Syria and the Northern Kingdom would be conquered. Hope in the next decade, and hope for the future. Immanuel: God with us … hope.

The promise of hope remains true today. In our struggles, God is with us, and He is in control.

A virgin would conceive and bear a son. Remember the woman’s seed in Genesis 3:15—the Seed Who would be the One to save men and women from their sin? 

The Promise: God With Us born of a virgin. A Son. Immanuel. God With Us.

This is an impossible promise. How can a woman have a child without the seed of the man?  

But with God, all things are possible.

Born of a virgin. An impossible promise for man. A certain promise for God.

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Immanuel. God dwelling among us in the flesh. 

Immanuel. The Holy Spirit living in Christ’s followers.

Immanuel. The Promise.

Immanuel. The Gift. 

Immanuel. The Christmas story.

Immanuel. Behold the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world.

All-powerful Father, You are Lord of the heavens and earth. You are holy and pure. You are love and life. You dwell with those who love You. Make us more aware of Your presence. Show Yourself to us in more vivid ways. We want to behold You in all that we think and do. Amen.

Reflections

1. How do you recognize God dwelling with you?
2. Why did God give us prophecies of Jesus’ coming?
3. What actions will you take today to acknowledge God dwelling with you?

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Behold Our Savior – 31 Reflections