In times of silence and seasons of waiting for God’s deliverance we can begin to question where God is. A name of God that I have found incredibly relatable recently is Emmanuel: God with us. Typically this name comes up around the Christmas season, but it has become one I have admired this year.
Matthew 1:22-23
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).
While our God is all powerful and knowing, I find it incredibly amazing that our God chose to send His Son down to earth to live among us. Jesus not only lived here with us, but He humbled Himself and experienced suffering just like we do. He is a God that has compassion, because He knows what it feels like to experience pain, temptation, rejection and was forsaken by those He loved most.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Maybe you feel like you’re in a circumstance where you feel alone and in a season of silence. God sent His Son down to earth so that we wouldn’t suffer alone. Jesus understands the heartaches, pain and the struggle it is to continue living in this dark world. In Psalm 34:18, David penned the words “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Jesus knew what it felt like to suffer and to suffer deeply. He understood the deep agonizing pain of living a human life, even though He didn’t fall into temptation.
God sent His son Jesus to this world, not to live a luxury, high-class life, but one of humility. While Jesus was here, He didn’t expect to be served like a King, even though He had every right, but chose to serve others with a humble heart. While I find it incredible that Jesus came to live among us, I also find the name Emmanuel even more profound realizing that Jesus wasn’t just living among us here on earth thousands of years ago, but as God’s children, He is always near to us even today. When it feels like God is distant, silent or far away, we can rest assured that our Emmanuel is with us through any circumstance, big or small. We’re not facing our struggles alone, but the One who was born to save us is present with us every step of the way.
Jesus was born into a dark world that didn’t accept Him, yet He still chose to come and love those who blatantly rejected and mocked Him. If a mighty God could display such miraculous love for us then, I know for certain that our God, who never changes, still remains with us in the dark world we live in today. We are not alone. God is still in control and He’s got whatever circumstance you may be facing in His hands.
Zephaniah 3:17
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 singing.
Maybe you feel like you’re in a desperate place and looking for some hope. You won’t find lasting hope wrapped in something beneath the tree this Christmas, but rather it’s in the One who came to save the world. If you’re looking for help this Christmas, look to Emmanuel. He is the reason why we are here. He is the purpose for the life we’ve been given and why we can find the strength to wake up and face each day. Emmanuel is the reason we can always have hope, because we are extravagantly loved, and as God’s children, we have an eternal home awaiting us in heaven!