Immanual God With Us
Isaiah’s national call for repentance is so urgent that even his personal call and commission to prophetic office must wait until chapter 6. The task set before Isaiah is an unenviable one, for God promises from the start that the people will be spiritually deaf & nearsighted. But armed with confidence in his Immanuel, Isaiah begins to declare harsh words from on high in the courts and palaces of Judah.
All Praise be to Immanuel: The Lord spoke again to Ahaz saying: Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God… Then Isaiah said: Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (Isa 7:10-14)
Lord, forgive us for seeking signs as indications of Your direction and as a basis for our faith in You. We realize that You God intends to nurture in us a faith and a trust that don’t require external support. Help us develop the kind of faith that rests solely on Your character, especially that of your Faithfulness. But Lord in Your tender mercies, please do not test us beyond what we are able to bear. Amen.
Lord Immanuel, God with us.
The perfect being – the Creator of
all things, chose to dwell among us.
Lord, You are fully God but also
fully man & You took on the sin of
all humanity to offer us salvation.
You the Lord of lords and the King
of kings – the humble King,
who came to reveal the heart and
character of Father to us. Amen.
Lord ,strengthen Your followers to live lives that reflect Your glory & point people to U as God with us. May Your name spread in such a way as to draw people to You. May we experience You more fully and intimately each day. May You not be to us a distant God, but truly know You as God with us. And May I know You as Immanuel, God with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen