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

When my husband and I first started our connection group we studied the names of God. I’ve recently been reminded how important all those names are to us. Today I would like to share one of His names that help remind us of who he is, how he loves us, how he knows us by name. That he is he for us and one day will be coming back to take us to the home he has prepared for us. 

‘your name is written on the palm of My hand’. Isaiah 49:16

Just as he knows our names, it’s equally important for us to know and remember his names and their different meanings. It helps us to understand how much he loves us, how he delights in us, how he protects us, and so much more. Knowing how he feels about us helps us to connect with him on a deeper level, it helps grow our faith, and mature as Christians. 

The first time Jesus came he came to claim us, forgive us, and save us. The next time he comes will be to take us home. To know someone came to claim me just makes my heart soar! I don’t know how to explain it other than it makes me feel special, wanted, loved and adored. The God who came to claim us is, IMMANUEL, God with us. 

Jesus is God with us. He understands us. He’s walked through the pressures of life. He’s felt frustration, hunger, pain, and sorrow. He’s experienced illness and death, excitement and joy. He understands our weaknesses and fears. He is God ‘with’ us. 

Immanuel; God with each and every one of us, all races, all colours, all backgrounds, all religious beliefs, all classes, all walks of life. No exclusions. All inclusive. God with us! Throughout our whole lives He is with us. Through the good times, the bad times, the ugly times, the indifferent time he is with us. He’s there through our tears, our fears, our laughter, our sadness, our joy. Through the highs and the lows lows of life. He is God with us. Through feast and famine, peace and war, even plagues, and pandemics. He is Always....GOD With Us!

‘With’ is a word we use a lot. “Will you go with me?” we ask throughout life. Will you go with me to the store, to visit a friend, to see my family, to pray for someone, to volunteer, go to church. We ask because we like the company, because we don’t like to feel alone or lonely, because it’s nice to have someone by our side, it strengthens us and gives us courage. To have someone we love and trust with us as we go is important. Someone who has our back. Someone who gets us. Who doesn’t judge us and always wants the best for us and from us. An encourager, a helper, a friend. That’s who Immanuel wants to be if only we will open up our hearts and minds and invite him in.  

Before ascending to heaven Jesus said in Matthew 28-20  ‘I am ‘WITH’ you always, to the very end of time’  Powerful Encouraging words...

As you go through your day today remember, no matter what, God is ALWAYS with you. 

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

You are his, He has called you by name. You don’t need to feel insignificant or unimportant. He knows you. You’re never alone. No matter what you face he is there with you, Immanuel. The God of love dwells in you, he is light and love and power and truth, all that is available to you as you abide in him. He is with you all the time, you are under his constant protection and care he is Immanuel, God with you. Thank him and constantly stir yourself up to remember how much he loves you and is always, always walking right there with you, beside you, behind you, in front of you, above you, and all around you.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9