Look! The virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us'. When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home; he had not had intercourse with her when she gave birth to a son; and he named him Jesus. Matthew 1:23-25

Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

God's Promise – I will be with you!

The Holiday Season – often a time of great sadness, sorrow for some - A lady 36 year old died Monday and buried on Sat. Leaving behind a mother, a husband, 2 children

World Condition – high prices, foreclosures, loss of jobs, stock market collapse, major industries on the verge of bankruptcy, shootings, child abuse - 17yr old held captive by a girl scout leader & husband; house had Christmas wreath on door! What is going on is our world?

Does God's promise still apply today? Is God still with us today – when there are so many horrible things going on?

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; Isaiah 43:2-5(NIV)

Yes, God is with us!!

When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. I gave Egypt and Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for your freedom, as your ransom. Others died that you might live; I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me and honored, and I love you. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:2-5 (Living Bible)

In hard times He Is With Us!

In sickness…

In affliction…

In trouble…

In depression, oppression, failure, disappointment …

When loved ones die…

When the doctor says you've got cancer, diabetes, AIDS…

In suffering…

Immanuel, God Is With Us!

So what do we do with our suffering? What do we do with our sorrow?

What is Sorrow? – grief, mourning, sadness, distress, unhappiness, regret, trouble

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (KJV)

Let's hear it again:

Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing,

ours the sorrows he was carrying,

while we thought of him as someone being punished

and struck with affliction by God;

whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions,

crushed because of our guilt;

the punishment reconciling us fell on him,

and we have been healed by his bruises.

Isaiah 53:4-5 (NJB)

Let's hear it yet again!

Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was chastised that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed! Isaiah 53:4-5 (Living Bible)

Immanuel – God is With Us! There is a very good reason for God being with us.

I AM WITH YOU TO DELIVER YOU! God is with us to deliver us, to rescue us, to help us, to heal us, to save us. Because God Loves Us!

Give it to God! Your grief, your sorrow, your pain, your hurt, your failure, you name it Jesus bore it – already!

…Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21

I will not leave you comfortless. John 14:18a God has not left us without comfort. He has provided the Comforter – The Holy Spirit, who lives in us forever! Our God is With Us!

I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

He has borne our grief, carried our sorrows, removed our guilt, paid the price for our reconciliation with God, healed us, set us free - Immanuel, God is with us!

Immanuel, the one born of a virgin!

Immanuel, the one who is to save his people from their sins.

Immanuel. Do we know who He Is?

What's his name –JESUS! Savior of the World! Hallelujah!

(revkim - 12/7/08)