Daily Devotion For Thursday, December 21, 2023
The Christmas word we are focusing on today is actually one Jesus’ names. The word is IMMANUEL. In the book of Isaiah, God told us that a Savior was coming hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth. The Bible says in Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)” (NLT).
Immanuel means “God with us.” That’s the best news you will ever hear. God is with you. Jesus proves it. How could God make it any more clear that He is with you than to take on flesh and become one of us? He is with you in your pain, confusion, questions, and even in your doubts. He knows your name — the Bible say this in Isaiah 49:16, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hand” (NLT). The Living Bible puts it this way, “See, I have tattooed your name upon My palm."
You are God’s tattoo! Jesus said this in Luke 12:6, “But God even knows how many hairs you have on your head” (NLT). God even knows how many hairs are on your head — and their original color. God is with you. He’s not against you. He’s for you. And the Bible says this in Romas 8:31b, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (NLT). God is on your side and He wants what’s best for you. God is your biggest fan. Why else would He do all that He has done for you?
In the Old Testament, God called Himself the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Do you get it? God called Himself by the names of people who trusted Him. Were they perfect? Of course not. They made a lot of mistakes. Take Abraham, for example. He had a baby with his housemaid and tried to sell his wife to the Egyptians. He eventually got Sarah back, but I can just imagine the conversation they had the night she came home. It really is a miracle they ever had a son!
You might read about Abraham’s escapades and say, “What a knucklehead! What was he thinking? What was God thinking?! How could he use a guy like that?” But people could say the same thing about any of us. God says, “I am the God of Abraham. Yeah, that guy. The fickle man. Take a good, close look at him. Why? Because he believes Me. Sure, he makes mistakes. So what? Of course he’s not perfect. But I’m patient. I can work through him, in spite of all that, because he calls on My name. He takes Me at My word. He trusts Me. So I am his God. I call Myself by his name. He belongs to Me and I belong to him. And in My book, he is a giant of faith. Even the most valuable diamond has flaws.”
Just as God says, “I am the God of Abraham,” so hH says, “I am the God of ___(insert your name here)__. In fact, I’ve got your picture on the ‘fridge. I think about you day and night and I love you with all My heart. Sure you make mistakes — lots of mistakes — but I am determined to finish what I have started in you. You call on My name. So I call Myself by your name. You belong to Me, and I belong to you. Why? Because you trust Me. And I never forsake those who trust Me.”
God is with you. You don’t have to be perfect. (Although I strongly advise that you don’t try to sell your wife to the Egyptians! God will forgive you, but your wife? . . . That’s another story.)Rest in this truth this Christmas: God is with you. He sent Jesus, Immanuel, to prove it. Never give up on your walk with hHm. He will never give up on His walk with you.
Scripture To Meditate On: Matthew 28:20b, “Jesus said, `And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (NLT).
Prayer to Pray: “LordJesus. Immanuel. God with us. I am so grateful that You will never abandon or forsake me. You are always with me, watching over me and working on my behalf. Even when I mess up, You are here to clean up my messes. I thank You that even when I am unfaithful, You remain faithful. I pray that You will help me to live a life that puts a smile on Your face. Amen!”