READING: Isaiah 7:1-10:4, Ephesians 3
“God with us.” That’s the name of the Redeemer, the one supernaturally born of a virgin (Isa 7:14). Consider these words, beginning with “God.” This God is the one and only God. He is all-powerful, all-knowing God who is ever present. He’s the Creator and Redeemer, the ruler over history. His ways are not our ways, and none of us can fully comprehend Him. Even the wind and the sea obey Him (Mark 4:41).
This God is also “with” us. That is, He’s not a clockmaker God who created the clock, wound it up, and moved on. He’s not a god formed by human hands, sitting on a shelf and completely non-relational. Rather, this God takes up residence in His children through the Holy Spirit. He’s on our side, wanting us to experience joy as we serve Him with enthusiasm and abandon. His very presence ought to humble and empower us at the same time; after all, it’s God who is with us.
Then, this God is with “us.” He’s with us — we who are rebels, dead in our sin without Him (Eph 2:1). Nothing within us makes us worthy of His presence, and the rebellion within us requires God’s gracious forgiveness through the shed blood on His Son. We’re completely unworthy, yet God has chosen to be with us.
He’s a good, good God.
PRAYER: “God, You alone are worthy of our praise.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 10:5-13:22, Ephesians 4:1-5:5
