Throughout 4,000 years of Old Testament history God revealed Himself to man. To Hagar, cast off and frightened, He was El Roi, the God who sees. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides, met an anguishing, but obedient Abraham, on Mount Moriah. The loving, tender shepherd, Jehovah-raah, found still waters for David. For these, as well as for us, faith has always been required to establish a relationship with God. The faith of the Old Testament believer was dependent on the partial picture he or she had of God. When a miraculous birth ushered Jesus into the world, He was wholly man and wholly God. He was God in human flesh. He was Emmanuel, God with us, and an accurate representation of the Father. He was the Word, the self-expression of God, giving us a picture of God unparalleled in Old Testament history. He revealed God to us, and then turned around to provide a way to bring us to God. In His provision He etched a vivid portrait of the absolute essence of God. Holiness and love hung on a cross and stooped in tender humility.
Emmanuel is still among us, although His form is no longer one of flesh and blood. Every believer is now a home for Emmanuel. God lives within the believer as our constant companion. Emmanuel, God in me, is called the Holy Spirit. He is God. He is Jesus in me.
Emmanuel--God with me. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. In the ruts. In frustrations, sorrows, hurts, anxieties, disappointments. When I’m battling temptation, and losing. When my spirit is empty. Or dry. God with me. At home in--me. When I cradle a newborn, or caress the hand of a dying parent. When I delight in the accomplishments of my child, or I walk the journey of grief because my child has been lifted into the arms of Jesus. When hope swells, or despair looms. When I eloquently perform, or when I am assaulted by rejection. God in me. His name is Jesus. He has saved me from a multitude of sins, and yet still He wants to give. His gifts are for His brothers and sisters. That includes me. He even calls me His friend. Daughter of God, open yourself to Him. Tell Him to make Himself at home.
– Bev
(Related Bible reading: Genesis 16:1-13; Matthew 1:23)
