Author: astherainandsnow

“Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land had rest for ten years.  And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment. He also took out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under him. He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace. And he said to Judah, ‘Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.’ So they built and prospered. And Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, armed with large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin that carried shields and drew bows…

“Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried to the Lord his God, ‘O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.’” 2 Chronicles 14:1-11

Asa’s aim was not peace, but purity, and with his thorough cleansing and redirecting of Judah to the LORD, they were blessed with peace. He stood as their leader in removing false gods and shrines, and in prudent building of defenses. He reinstituted proper worship as he secured their land from enemy attack. Peace is always a by-product of doing the right thing and being in a right relationship with God. But peace does not mean the absence of conflict. An army of a million is formidable indeed, but a stilled soul cries out and trusts even then. (2 Chronicles 15:2; Isaiah 9:6)

Peace is what we carry inside when the Lord is Lord of our souls. Peace is what we know when we humbly trust him to deliver, protect, convict, cleanse, and forgive. Peace comes in knowing whose we are and who goes before us. It is a gift like none other from Jesus, a flood and fortress when we turn our cares to Him. In Jesus alone can we sleep, no matter what we face, in heavenly peace. (John 14:27;16:33; Philippians 4:6-7)

“Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.” ~Joseph Moore

What cleansing should I implement, what loves and priorities need adjusting, so Christ’s peace has sole sway?

LORD, keep my soul silent before You, marveling at Your incarnation and alert to Your doings from Your holy dwelling in this world. May Your peace rule me, fill me, and be the fruit of my days. (Zechariah 2:13; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:15)

“Jesus [said], ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ So the Pharisees said to him, ‘Your testimony is not true.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going...‘ They said to him therefore, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also…’ 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…’

They [said], ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did…’ They said to him, ‘We have one Father—even God.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God… Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil… He was a murderer from the beginning, and… there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies… Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.’” John 8:12-14,19,23-32,39,41b-44,47

The Pharisees liked to ask questions, but not accept the answers. They relished arguments they would win, and manipulated conversation to garner confirmation of what they already believed, all to support their own puff and importance. There was no risking faith that would require humbling themselves or changing their minds. They were the experts.

But Jesus the Truth confounded them, turning their arrogant reasoning inside out, exposing their lack of faith. Calmly, logically, He clarified what they didn’t want to admit: they did not abide in the true word, they did not love God, they were not free. Such realities were a smack in their haughty faces, and they bristled at the sting. (John 14:6)

Truth often hurts, because it lays bare what we prefer to hide, and often have spent a lifetime doing. Truth uncovers our lies, our cowardice, our pride. The Savior invites us to reason with Him and be cleansed and released from the devil’s tyranny, but we can be unwilling to believe that is really possible. We decide losing control, our carefully-constructed reputation, and self-made security is too much to risk for such an incomprehensible offer. (Isaiah 1:18)

What locks of pride and stubbornness are keeping us from opening our heart’s door to the Savior? What shame inhibits our trusting the Redeemer? What fear holds us back from surrendering to the Lover of our souls?

Would our hearts welcome Christ to enter in? Would we with meekness risk receiving all He has to give?

“How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of the heav’ns.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him still
the dear Christ enters in.” ~Phillips Brooks (1868)

Lord, teach me risky faith for the sake of knowing and exalting You.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’

“After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:1-2,9-11

Seeing the star doesn’t just happen. It has to be dark, and we have to look up. Outside at night, we might try quickly to adjust to the dark to see in front of us, to make our way in movement. In shadowed circumstances, we might fall to self-pity and woe, or complaint. We will miss the star altogether if we do not stop, turn from ourselves, look up, be still, and gaze into the black expanse.

What ‘night’ has me tripping and bumping in grouchy, angry, or touchy? What areas of my life have I let go to sloth, blame, or sour? What will it take— time, attention, a willful turn of heart– to change my focus and behold the star, the brilliant light, God shines in the middle of dark circumstances?

Will we see Christ’s star this Christmas? Will we wonder at the Creator’s heavenly splendor, His ways of guiding, of lighting our path, of revealing His Son? Will we slip away from the chaos of noise and artificial light to behold Him in silence and surrender? Will we fall down and worship? Who are we, that He would so care for us and show off His measureless love, and beauty, and grace, and power to set in place and sustain? Yet, He comes to us, and brings His light. (Psalm 8:3-4; Colossians 1:16-17)

In the thick of darkness, what are we learning? In pain, what comfort? In despair, what hope? In loneliness, what divine communion? In confusion, what clear way? In overwhelm, what shared yoke? In weakness, what strength? In lack, what supply? In hurt, what balm? What truth is He teaching, what attributes revealing? (Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 12:8-10)

Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, shines in every inch of darkness we encounter. Look for Him there! Trace His path, behold, marvel, follow! (Revelation 22:16)

“Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, 
gold I bring to crown him again, 
King forever, ceasing never, 
over us all to reign.

Glorious now behold him arise; 
King and God and sacrifice: 
Alleluia, Alleluia, 
sounds through the earth and skies.

O star of wonder, star of light, 
star with royal beauty bright, 
westward leading, still proceeding, 
guide us to thy perfect light.” ~John H. Hopkins (1857)

Lord, keep me trekking on the journey of each day, and of my life, watching and following the Star that is You. Keep me looking up and moving forward in expectant and increasing faith, that I will point others to Your resplendence.

“He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him…’ Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.’ So he went and washed and came back seeing.

 “The neighbors were saying, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?..’ So they said to him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ ¹¹ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” So I went and washed and received my sight.’ ¹² They said to him, “Where is he?”

“It was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. ¹⁵ So the Pharisees asked him how he had received his sight… ‘He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’ Some said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?..’

“For the second time [the Jews] said to him, ‘We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’” John 9:1-3,6-8,10-12,14-16,24-25

Seeing the blind man, the disciples jumped to judgment and wanted to assign blame. They tripped over the why, and thought attributing cause would be resolving. Wouldn’t you think they’d have some compassion?

His neighbors stumbled over the impossibility of it all. How was the beggar healed? Was this really he? How and who and where? Who was this healer? Wouldn’t you think they’d marvel at the miracle, ask what it was like to see for the first time, and embrace him?

The self-righteous Pharisees consumed themselves with rules, castigating this ‘sinner’ who would do such an appalling thing as stir mud on the Sabbath. Their feet tripped on tradition, their fingers wagged, their fists shook. Wouldn’t you think they’d look beyond legalism to consider the marvelous transformation of this young man and his family?

What about us? When others fall, or are stuck in unfortunate life circumstances, do we blame, criticize, dismiss, or strut in superiority to avoid them? Shouldn’t we care enough to enter their pain, come alongside, and do what we can to assist and encourage? When someone chooses a different style or political view than we prefer, follows an unusual career path, or applies Scripture differently (but sincerely), do we nitpick and major on minors? Shouldn’t we could exercise the maturity and grace to value our fellow image-bearers, accept differences, look at the big picture, and do what we can to keep unity in the bond of peace? (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Wouldn’t you think we could be like Jesus? The key is rememberng the one thing: we were blind, and now we see. Jesus saves, and He in grace saved us, based on nothing we’ve done or deserved. And because of this we can shake off the tangle of flesh, freely rejoice, and love with genuine compassion.(Romans 12:15; Ephesians 2:8-10)

Lord, elevate my thinking and living to Your ways and ends.

“These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
    and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
    a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation  and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
    ‘Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?’
 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
    ‘Where is your God?’

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:4-11

Top-lit by a high half-moon wedge, the pre-dawn sky seems to roll like waves above the horizon shore, pink-tinted foam softly scalloping its edges, inky turbulence below. A planet floats like a single sparkling gem, tethered like a tiny twinkling buoy in the current of cloud.

There are days when we are cast down- by circumstance, illness, sorrow. There are days when the deep of grief and fear keep calling to the deep in us, carrying on a conversation we’d rather not. There are times when the breakers of hurt and loneliness shroud our light and almost break us… yet our Savior walks the waves to our rescue. Gracious and steady is He. (Matthew 14:23-27; John 6:19-21)

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
  When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say,
  ‘It is well, it is well with my soul!’

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
  Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
  And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live;
  If dark hours about me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
  Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.” ~Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888) 

Have we lost our footing, or are events threatening to undo us? Do difficulties drive mood swings that dictate our demeanor? Do resentment, anger, or stress unsettle us? Would we be honest about these disappointments and deep feelings, and check to secure our hope in Christ? By His grace we can anchor our longings and heartaches to His steady, stable strength and steadfast love. His salvation is our certain heavenly hope. (Hebrews 6:19)

Lord, would every wave of beauty, every swell of emotion high or low, every current of Your Spirit inside, move me to wonder and praise and deeper trust. You are the Keeper of my soul.

“Judah is a lion’s cub… The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him.” Genesis 49:9-10

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit... He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.“ Isaiah 11:1; 53:7

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,  and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.  And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’

^“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,

‘Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” Revelation 5:1-9

Weep no more, the King has come! Worthy is our Christmas King! Fear no more, the Lion reigns! Worthy is the Lion of Judah! Look no more, the Stump has sprouted. Worthy is the Shoot of Jesse! Be burdened no more, the Lamb has come to carry the sin of the world! Worthy is the Lamb!

Promised as a conquering Lion, foretold as springing from the root of Jesse’s (David’s) line, the Passover Lamb came to Bethlehem, was slain at Calvary, then raised to life, and now reigns as perfect, holy Regent. Will we fall, bow, and sing? Will we take up our instruments, be they musical, practical, or lyrical, and cry, “Worthy!”? Will we hold out our years of prayers, our unmet longings, our pleas, our ‘how longs,’ and offer them as fragrant incense to the One who is worthy of a new song? (Zechariah 14:21)

How will we bless His name, honor His holiness, and glorify His loveliness and splendor today?

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12,13)

Amen and Amen!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God… In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him)…

 “And this is the testimony of John…He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!.. For this purpose I came.., that he might be revealed to Israel.’ The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.” John 1:1-2,4-9,14-15,19,23,29-31,35-37

The life and person of Jesus captivated John’s attention, his very being, and his life-work. John was a herald in his time, harkening unto the Lord Jesus and proclaiming who He was and what He had come to do. He was called by God as a witness, a voice, a ‘herald angel’ who would point anyone and everyone to the Lamb of God who brought freedom from sin and the peace of reconciliation.

“Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King'” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Am I so besotted with Jesus that He is in the beginning of my day? Has His saving grace compelled me to be caught up with herald angels glorifying Him? And where is He sending me? To whom in the wilderness of my neighborhood, workplace, or commercial interactions has He given me a voice? How clearly am I exemplifying and proclaiming His unique divinity, His grace and truth, His indescribable peace? (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7)

How are we singing glory to our newborn King in facial expressions and tone of voice? Are there ways and situations where we can pause, point a finger upward, and say ‘Hark! Hail the prince of peace!’ What evidence are we displaying that He is reigning as our Prince of Peace? (Isaiah 9:6)

Lord, catch me up with the angels to proclaim, in all I feel and project and say, that You are established as my Prince of Peace. Draw others to follow.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little… Why? declares the Lord. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” Haggai 1:4-9

The thick sky this morning closed in like so many cares. The darkness seemed nearer than usual, and heavy. But as I watched, and very slowly the light tiptoed in, there was the pink, a hint of rosy cheer. Concerns cloud our minds, we can bend under their burden, and conclude there is no hope. But if we watch long enough, we begin to see the light of God’s providence shining, smudging color into our dreary circumstances. Bring on the pink, O Lord! And eyes to see it!

When we get all twisted in importances and tangled in the tyranny of the urgent, God graciously exposes our messed up priorities. And sometimes it hurts. He teaches that our flesh endeavors will never satisfy, and having plenty in this world does not necessarily translate to a plenteous soul. Hours filled with activity are not necessarily hours spent with meaning. Work done with vigor is not necessarily work with significance. Things and events and productivity we thrive on will never hold the value of rejoicing in the Lord and living by His Spirit.

If we would put Him first, he puts the rosy and substance into every endeavor. If we would put Him first, He would order our affections and set our plans and priorities aright. If we put Him first, we realize that on earth we can be depleted, our efforts fruitless, our labor unsuccessful, and all is still well with our souls because our treasure is in heaven; we can still rejoice. Our salvation is not shaken, our future not dulled, our God not diminished. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Would I begin my day by taking up the word of God rather than my tools of trade? Would I take time to worship him and listen to His voice before I consult the news and my agenda? Would I take joy in my Savior?

Father, train me to consider my ways and exalt You as supreme in them all. In every difficulty, every cloud of care, give me eyes to see Your hand and glory, and the will to rejoice.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1,4,9,12-14

“This is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:19-21

“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Existing from the beginning, Jesus pulsed with divine life at God’s side in creation, when God spoke light into being and breathed life into man. At Christmas, Jesus came to embody the light of life on earth. He laid aside His heavenly glory in a segment of time to become the bridge by which we can approach holy God. Christ, through His death, resurrection, and ascension, is the only true Reconciler between God and man. When we receive His light and life by faith, we are tethered to Him forever. (Genesis 1:3; 2:7; Proverbs 8:27-31; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Shall we join the angels and give glory to the King who gave His glory for us? We can do it with song, we can do it with speech. We can do it by offering ourselves and preferring others. We can do it by giving willingly of our time, resources, privacy, and wants. (Romans 12:1,10-11,13)

“Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

“Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.”

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

To the One who gives light to our darkness and life when we languish, how will we give glory anew that He deserves?

Incarnate Deity, fill me with Your Spirit. Prince of Peace, rule my heart. Sun of Righteousness, shine in and through me with Your heavenly light of life, so others can see and know You too as their glorious Reconciler and Savior.

“The LORD God said to the serpent,.. ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
    and you shall bruise his heel.’” Genesis 3:14-15

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“‘I will establish your offspring forever,
    and build your throne for all generations.” Psalm 89:4

“The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

“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 loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel” Matthew 1:23

Immanuel, God with us. Israel long looked forward to their long-expected Savior; God Himself was in their midst from the beginning as Author of the promise. His presence and promised presence were the hope of Israel through David’s royal line through the ages, and abide as the hope of every believer today. (2 Samuel 7:16)

“O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.”

On earth we are in lonely exile, removed from, yet surely destined for, our heavenly home. Jesus has come to earth and the cross to ransom His people and guarantee in our salvation that we will be with Him forever. For now we wait, we yearn, we live and work and serve, as resident aliens looking ahead to His return and our eternal dwelling place. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

“O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Thy people by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.”

In the here and now of the human condition, gloomy clouds of painful toil, dissension, worry, poverty, illness, and death hang heavy. They blur our hope and shrink our vision. But Immanuel is with us presently, mighty to save. The Good Shepherd, walking beside to comfort and guide. The strong Savior, giving rest and help. Immanuel has come to us! (Psalm 23:1-4; Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:14-15)

“O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.” ~John Mason Neale (1851)

Immanuel is our constant companion, the advocate on our side. He is head of the church, building us up together to be His holy bride. For the nations, He reigns supreme over every leader, dictator, and king as King of kings, working righteously to accomplish His good eternal purposes. We can be unshaken in His presence now and to come. (Romans 8:31-34; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Revelation 19:16)

What difference would it make to remember our divine paraclete in our moments and days? Will we invite hopeful cheer to fill our hearts and direct our minds? How will Immanuel cause us to plan and do differently? Speak differently? Spend differently? Love differently?

Rejoice! Immanuel has come and is in us, with us, for us!

Immanuel You are here. Immanuel, You are coming again. Dayspring on high, mingle my present hope and my longing in one joyful song to Your glory.