Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, ‘God with us’.” <NASB>
God with us, God in us. I have been thinking on Abba’s plan to restore us to Him. I know that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of our precious Jesus, but it’s so much more!
I remember saying to my husband once, ” I wish I could climb inside you so I could be closer to you.”
That’s exactly what Jesus did!
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said, “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” <NLT>
Colossians 1:27b For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in His glory. <NLT>
He wanted a relationship with us, to complete us, to restore us to oneness with Him.
Colossians 2:9,10 For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ, He is Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe. <NLT>
Immanuel, God with us.
I remember a time that I was in a terrible situation. I was at a point that I was afraid to leave my house. I was beat down and heartbroken. I don’t know how to explain it, but the Lord picked me up, brushed me off and said, “I love you, let Me help you.” It wasn’t a physical thing, yet I “saw” Him doing this.
The next day, I was running on the treadmill, pouring my heart out to Him and I saw Him running next to me! He had on a white tank top, red shorts, hair in a ponytail and a huge smile! I was so delighted that I laughed!
Four years later, our youngest son, Chris, came home from his first day at his new High School, beat down and severely persecuted. His Dad and I prayed with him. The next day, he ran to the car and said, “Mom! I saw Jesus walking next to me all day at school and no one picked on me!” Praise God.
Sometimes He lets us see Him, and other times, He allows us to feel His tangible presence. Though we don’t walk by sight, nor feelings He knows what we need every moment of every day.
Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the Scriptures and the fulfillment of us! Happy birthday, Jesus, and thank You for restoring us to a relationship with Abba.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! <NASB>
