Advent Day 3: Immanuel

It’s a brand NEW day! A fresh new start! After this post, we will be caught up with our Advent Devotionals.

It’s December 3rd and this is Advent Day 3

Immanuel, God with us!

Approximately 700 years before His birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote that a Son would be born to a virgin. And He gives him the name Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This prophecy comes amidst other prophecies of coming judgment and destruction for Israel in that period. The people had continually turned away from God and chose evil. The prophet Isaiah delivers messages to tell them what is to come because they have been unfaithful, rebellious, and outright rejected the Lord. But even though Israel has been unfaithful to God, He remained faithful to His promise to them. They hadn’t even repented or turned back to God yet, and in the middle of their blatant sin, the Lord released the prophetic promise that through the miracle of a virgin birth, God would dwell among men. Amid a mess, God was sending messages of coming hope and redemption. His plan was radical! He would leave His Seat on High, choose the humblest of births, and be raised by average parents.

He was Earth’s Eternal King, yet He chose to leave the throne to dwell among men, be with them, grow up among them, work and labor in the family business, and adhere to the same laws He authored. He would follow Jewish customs and celebrations, laugh with joy, and cry sorrowfully. He wasn’t here for a quick passing visit. He would dwell, linger, and live among His creation.

God’s original plan was full, unhindered closeness. This is evident in the description of man’s relationship to the Lord in the Garden of Eden. When Jesus came to earth in the form of a man, He began the work to restore that plan. He walked the earth touching people with His healing Hands, bringing life back to things that were dead or dying, and providing a new way of living for His people. Jesus was God walking and talking with His creation again.

And Immanuel, God with us, means even more than the physical life of Jesus when He walked the earth. Now, He continually dwells among men and women who call on Him as Lord through the Holy Spirit. He has given His children His own spirit. He told His followers,

‘And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18

He was Immanuel, God with the disciples then, and He is still Immanuel, God with us today. Just as He walked among His people, caring for them, bearing their burdens, healing, providing, teaching, and comforting, so today, Jesus continues to dwell among men and be God with US!He modeled a new way to live for all who would follow Him! This new way of living is radical. It’s walking in step with the LORD, hearing from Him, knowing Him, and being in fellowship with Him. You can turn the page and start a fresh new chapter with Him today.

He has been calling you deeper. He has been calling you to come and trust Him in a new way and on a new level. A new wave of glory is on the other side of a fresh surrender to Him. He is now calling you to walk every day in step with Him. You CAN be free from your past. You CAN receive complete and total redemption today. If He’s already your Lord, there’s MORE available on the other side of a fresh surrender. Total surrender of your ways to His ways. This is a continual choice to choose Jesus as Lord. When He called each disciple, He said, “Come, follow me.” They had a choice whether or not to follow Him and so do you.

After that initial choice to walk with him, they also had to keep walking with Him daily.When He taught hard things, many of His followers walked away while the twelve and some others remained through it all. Lean in close to Jesus today. Confess your devotion to Him afresh. When we believe in our heart that Jesus triumphed over death and rose from the dead, and we confess Jesus as Lord, we are saved and we come into a relationship with Him. If you desire to know Jesus as Immanuel, you can turn to Him in faith today and confess it. Remember, His promise as Immanuel came when the people were still sinning greatly. This shows that the invitation is there even when you have been living short of His best for you. Today, you can come out of every hindrance preventing you from walking with Him deeply and intimately. Boldy confess Him as Lord today and allow Him to reveal Himself to you personally as Immanuel, God with you!

Dear Lord,

I believe Your Word. I want to know You as Immanuel, God with me. I’m ready to truly surrender to You today. I am sorry for sinning against you. I repent. Please forgive me. Thank you for seeking me out even while I was living in sin. I believe in You, Jesus. I believe You are who You say you are, the Son of God who came to earth to walk with Your creation. I believe You rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. I receive Your gift of salvation and want to make You Jesus, Lord of my life. I desire Your Holy Spirit to dwell inside me so that I can be led by Your spirit and not my own desires. I choose to follow You fully and with deep surrender. Take me deeper, Lord. Put me completely in step with You as Immanuel, God with me.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Blessings this Christmas!

Vanessa Lynn

The full color coffee table book is available on Amazon!