The Name of Jesusනියැදිය

Immanuel

Over 700 years before Jesus came, God made a promise through Isaiah the prophet during a time of great anxiety among God’s people. They were being threatened with war and were worried they’d be destroyed, yet God promised he wouldn’t leave them alone. He would be with them; he would protect and provide for them; and he would defend and deliver them.

But this promise from God through Isaiah wasn’t just about God’s presence for God’s people then. Isaiah explained that one day a miracle would happen. A virgin would give birth to a son, and his name would be Immanuel, which means "God with us." That’s why seven centuries after God gave this promise, an angel said to Joseph, "Your soon-to-be wife is going to have this son God promised centuries ago, and in a way no one could’ve fathomed, your son will be God with us."

Let’s consider two truths from this verse.

First, God is faithful. When God makes a promise in his Word, he fulfills it in the world. Every promise God makes to us will prove true. When God says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)," that’s a guarantee: you will never be alone in this world. Because God has said he is our "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1 ESV)," you can know you’ll never face trouble without his strength at your side. Because God has said he will "supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 ESV)," you can know you’ll never have a need too great for God to meet. God keeps his promises.

As a result of God’s faithfulness, we can also rest in this second truth from Matthew 1:22-23: all who trust in Jesus are free from worry. No matter what you face in this world, you never have to worry about anything. For God, your Creator, your Savior—the supplier of divine help, boundless strength, never-ending comfort, supernatural peace, overcoming joy, and unshakable hope—is always with you. As God promised his people centuries ago, he will ultimately protect, provide for, defend, and deliver you. And one day, when you breathe your last breath and move on from this world, even then, you will not be alone. You are free from all fear of death itself, for the One who is with you has conquered the grave, and he will usher you into his presence to be with him for all eternity.

Jesus is Immanuel: God with us now and God with us forever. Today, think about how "God with you" changes your outlook on life, and who you might encourage with this truth. Praise Jesus as God with us in this world and God with you in your life. Ask God to help you to live in light of his presence with you. Then pray for over 50 million Yadav men, women, and children in India who haven’t heard that Jesus is the one true God who has come to be with us.