He is Here — Always!

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. Isaiah 7:14 Amp

All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel–which, when translated, means, God with us. Matthew 1:22-23 Amp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One prophetic scripture written some 700 years before the second has a meaning beyond its own time. 

First of all, what is the difference between Immanuel and Emmanuel? The difference lies only in the English spelling. Both words are the translation of the Hebrew word ‘Imanu’el’ meaning “God [is] with us.”

This phrase conveys the idea of God come down in the flesh, living alongside mankind, sweating and subjecting Himself to the pains of the flesh; finally subjecting Himself to man’s brutality while extending His love to bring the offer of redemption to all.

That is the very radical meaning of Christmas. It isn’t about mistletoe, music, parties and presents, or even the spirit of giving. Christmas is a celebration of the radical fact that God took on human flesh when Jesus was born. Jesus–God Himself–is Immanuel, God With Us!

The difference for us is like night and day. In past times God lived among man but confined Himself to a separate place where few could go:

THEN SOLOMON said, The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness;  I have built You a house, [in which the dark Holy of Holies seems] a [fitting] abode for You, a place for You to dwell in forever. 2 Chronicles 6:1-2 Amp

God made appearances as “the angel of the Lord” as in this episode with Moses:

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up.” When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:1-6 Amp

The angel of the Lord, God Himself, revealed Himself in a visible, personal way-taking the form of a human being.

Then, as foretold, God sent His only-begotten Son, Jesus, to walk among us. But after three short years of ministry He was to leave again. The night before He was to be crucified,

…Jesus, knowing (fully aware) that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God… John 13:3 (partial) Amp

and told His disciples:

[Dear] little children, I am to be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: you are not able to come where I am going. John 13:33 Amp

They were puzzled and deeply troubled by this unexpected (to them) turn of events.

Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, where are You going? Jesus answered, You are not able to follow Me now where I am going, but you shall follow Me afterwards. John 13:36 Amp

Jesus attempted to assure His distressed followers:

DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. John 14:1 Amp

After telling them that where He was going they could not go at present (John 13:35) but that He would return for them (John 14:3), Jesus comes the core meaning of Immanuel:

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever- John 14:16

While Jesus as “God in the flesh” could be physically “with us” He was limited by His physical body.

Therefore, the only way for the unbroken, never-ending presence of God with us was as Jesus explained:

I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 Amp

That promise of Immanuel is not just to the apostles; It is to us also.

What does it really mean to you and me?

Do you know what it feels like to feel utterly alone–to attempt to live your life with nothing to fall back on; with no one to help? If you’ve ever gone through desperate times you know exactly what it feels like. The wonderful promise made through the Christ child-Immanuel–is that God pledges to be with us in our troubles. He will not leave us to your own resources. All of His resources are now available to us.

Jesus was born in a moment of time. He paid for our sins, was resurrected, and returned to the Father.  Though He left us physically, He has been true to the promise given to us in Deuteronomy 31:6 and emphatically restated in Hebrews:

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5 Amp

Hallelujah (He is Here), from Hillsong, is presented as a Christmas song. In its truest sense, however, I maintain it is a song for all time. Listen to the song below as you read the words. Let the reality of the concept of God with us surround and inhabit you.

Love,
Brother Bill

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He is here
The Savior has been born
The one we’ve waited for
Surrounded by our praises

He is here
The promise of our King
To You our lives we bring
Let Your glory be revealed

Joy to the world
Peace to all who love Him
The Savior has been born
And all of heaven smiles

Glory to God
Bring an offering to Him
Join with all the angels
Singing hallelujah

He is here
The Savior has been born
The One we’ve waited for
Surrounded by our praises

He is here
The promise of the King
To You our lives we bring
Let Your glory be revealed

Joy to the world
Peace to all who love Him
The Savior has been born
And all of heaven smiles

Glory to God
Bring an offering to Him
Join with all the angels
Singing hallelujah

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This song is from the Double-CD Songs for Worship – Christmas by Hillsong Australia.

Order Songs 4 Worship CD, MP3 album or any single mp3 from Amazon

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