READING: 2 Kings 15:32-38, 2 Chronicles 27:1-9, Micah 1:1-16, 2 Kings 16:1-9, 2 Chronicles 28:1-15, Isaiah 7:1-25
“God is with us.” Just the phrase is packed with grace and love and hope and peace.
Scholars differ about how to interpret the verses of Isaiah 7 referring to a young woman giving birth to a son—particularly, how to understand the text in its original context of King Ahaz’s day, and how to understand it today in light of Christ’s coming. At a minimum, the text is at least a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. What we do know is that Matthew 1:22-23 connects this prophecy to the birth of Jesus, thus emphasizing the fact that God had come to be with us in Christ.
God chose to step into our lives through the baby in Bethlehem. And, He has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28:20). This day, I pray I will cling to this truth no matter what I face. Where worry overwhelms me, God is still with me. When temptation occurs, God is with me. When I’m waiting for an answer to a prayer voiced long ago, God is with me. When I wonder about the future, God is with me—and will be with me when that future becomes present tense. All day long today, God will be with me.
God is with us – and that truth makes all the difference.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: In what area of your life do you need to remember today, “God is with me”?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, grant me faith to trust Your presence today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 8:1-11:16
