IMMANUEL : God With Us
IMMANUEL : God With Us
The Meaning of Immanuel
The name Immanuel (im-ma-nu-AIL) appears in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, primarily in Isaiah 7:14. This passage is part of a prophetic message from the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz of Judah during a tumultuous time when Syria and Israel had united against Assyria.
Isaiah urged Ahaz not to join the rebellion against Assyria, assuring him of God’s promise and inviting him to ask for a sign. However, the king, showing a lack of faith, refused. In response, Isaiah declared: “The Lord himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.” This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, signifying that God was indeed with His people.
The essence of Immanuel translates to “God with us.” Throughout the Bible, there is a recurring theme of God’s desire to dwell among His people. In Jesus, God manifested this desire in a unique way by becoming human to save and restore our relationship with Him.
Praying to Immanuel
The story of Chuck Colson delivering Christmas gifts to children of incarcerated parents illustrates the profound meaning of Immanuel. Upon visiting a housing project, Colson encountered a young boy named Emmanuel. When he explained that the name means "God is with us," the boy joyfully embraced his mother, exclaiming, “Mama, Mama, God is with us!”
In that moment, the true message of Christmas resonated deeply with Colson, as both he and the boy experienced the palpable presence of God in that apartment, amidst the hardships of life.
Immanuel—God with us—reminds us of His constant presence, especially when we serve others. As Matthew’s Gospel reminds us, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).
A Prayer to Immanuel
Immanuel, thank you for coming to us when our sins made it impossible for us to come to you. Open my eyes to your presence today, I pray.
Promises Associated with the Name
“But Moses said to Elohim, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ Elohim answered, ‘I will be with you.’” (Exodus 3:11-12)
“I will never neglect you or abandon you. . . I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because Yahweh your Elohim is with you wherever you go.’” (Joshua 1:5, 9)
“When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you.” (Isaiah 43:2-3)
“And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20)
Conclusion
Immanuel signifies the incredible reality that God is with us. This assurance is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that no matter our circumstances, we are never alone. Embracing Immanuel invites us to engage with God in our daily lives, to recognize His presence in every moment, and to extend that love and care to those around us. In acknowledging Him as God with us, we find hope, purpose, and a deep sense of belonging.
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