Matthew 1:23 “Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called “Emmanuel” (meaning “God Is With Us.”) TLB
Christmas - when a God we thought was so very far away came down to where we are, to hold us close. John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” (AMP); John 3:13 says, “No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself – whose home is heaven].” (AMP) Can you imagine Jesus loving us so much to leave His home in heaven to come to earth to see about us?
In fact, the ancient prophecy of the coming Messiah predicted it. And Matthew 1:23 also declares it, "'A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, 'God with us'". Not just God projected on the screen of some church monitor or religious act either. But God right here! God up close and personal! God with us, God in us!
But for many of us, and far too often, however, He has seemed far away? Such as in those distressing moments when you receive the diagnosis; when there was an unexpected lay-off, family death, or loss of housing; those times when you didn’t see the divorce coming or your finances drastically leaving; Those times when you cry for anything, everything and nothing, and there’s not a sole around to wipe your tears, give you a shoulder to lean on or an encouraging word or hug. Truth is, holiday or not, life can be extremely hard sometimes.
Believe It Or Not, But Not Everyone Is Smiling, Happy, Filled With Joy, Buying Presents And Holding Their Breath Waiting For Christmas Morning To Arrive. No, There Are Some Who Lost Loved Ones During This Time Last Year, And So This Is Their First Year Without Them, and to say the experience is hard, is the understatement of the year! I share this with you because sometimes we’re so immersed in the holidays that we assume everyone is just as joyful. But pain and loss have a way of sucking even the carols out of Christmas…Even if only for a little while...
There Are Times in Life When YouCan’t Put on Your ‘I’m Alright’ Face. You can’t dance, clap, shout, spin, run and speak in tongue over this one. You can’t dress it up in fancy holiday attire, robes or crosses. You don’t have the eloquent prayers to reach heaven with, not for this one. And out of all the Scriptures you know, pain and loss have a way of making you forget even the simplest of Psalm 23. Sometimes you can’t ‘fake it till you make it.’ Sometimes you can’t attend the parties, grin and smile, and wear your red, and celebrate; even if only for a little while.
Some Are Having Their First Christmas After The Divorce; Others After Their Child Died; Or After Their Parents Have Died, Others After The Doctor Dropped The Cancer Bomb On Them. Then there are others who medicate themselves with alcohol, drugs or sex. And then there are those who are on prescription meds and still it’s hard. Others are suicidal, depressed, lonely, and hurting.
BUT before you think that’s how this devotional ends, let me correct you…
Listen: Matthew 1:23 reads, "'A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, 'God with us'" Despite what we may have to face here on earth, the one guarantee we have is “God With Us.” Even in the midst of trials, struggles, pain, hurt, disappointment and the like, God is still with us! Hebrews 13:5 says, “For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” (AMP) I tell you, there is no greater comfort than God!
Yes, I know it’s painful, and still it can’t deprive you of the promise God has made to you to ‘NEVER LEAVE YOU UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES’! Truthfully, we can’t count very many people who could make such a promise and keep it, but Jesus is a Promise Keeper! Even when it feels, seems, sounds and looks as though He is so very far away, be encouraged, God is Still With YOU! In fact, what I love most about this Scripture is the detail He goes into: “I will never leave you, never desert you, you’ll never be without My support, I’ll never leave you helpless, and I’ll never relax my hold on you”. Does that sound like He’s far away? Out of touch? Can’t reach us? Not at all!
And that’s what made me smile today! The reminder that no matter how much we hurt, HE will always be with us! And furthermore, our hurt won’t last always! Yes, we’ll cry, we’ll wonder, we’ll question, we’ll hurt…but we’ll get strong again, and recover.
Listen: One of the greatest gifts besides salvation is in knowing that Jesus didn’t come just to leave! He loves us so much that He’s going to return for us, and while He’s in heaven, He’s loved us once again so much, that He couldn’t leave us without comfort! John 14:26, “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” (AMP) We are never without comfort, support, love and strength, Jesus made sure of it!
So, even if you aren’t at your happiest or your strongest this holiday season, know that you are never alone, and God is not far away, but with you and in you! And by all means please know that it is okay for you to be honest about your hurt and where you really are mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. You have nothing to prove to anyone. And addressing your weakness does not take away His strength. Jesus wept, and so can you!
So, family, know for certain that it is okay not to be ‘over-flowing’ with the holiday spirit. But also know that you have no need to wallow in dread. Your Immanuel Has Not Left You Nor Will He Ever! And He Loves You So Much That Even the Father Intervened to Send a Comforter in His Name to Represent Him. Your God is Never far away! And there are no painful glitches in life that can remove His presence from you. Read His Word, Pray, Praise, and Worship…and also cry in your Prayer Closet releasing all of your agony to Him. He understands, and He’s not going anywhere! Hebrews 4:15 informs us, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.” (AMP) We serve a Savior who knows exactly how it feels to be human! That’s why we can tell Him our deepest hurts, weaknesses and fears, He understands, He cares, He’s present there with you and always will be!
Blessings
J.P. Olson
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