Immanuel, God with us.

I’m slowly getting into the Christmas Spirit. I’m in recovery from my food coma from Thanksgiving, playing Christmas music, and in the process of getting the decorations up. 

I realize some of you may not really be looking forward to the holiday season. Maybe you are going through a rough season of your own. Hey I get it. I haven’t exactly been spared myself. I’m going through conflicts of my own and it’s not fun. 

I want to encourage you today from God’s marvelous Word. Isaiah 8 is an amazing chapter that has such relevancy for us today. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful His Word is and how it speaks to my heart just in the right moment. Let’s dive right in. 

In verses 5-8, it tells of evil sweeping over the land like a flood. It will rise up to even the necks. Evil may plot against God’s people, but guess what?

“Plan and plot all you want—nothing will come of it.

    All your talk is mere talk, empty words,

Because when all is said and done,

    the last word is Immanuel—God-With-Us.” The Message

Do you see that? Get that in your spirit beloved! Through the rivers, the fire, the flood, whatever....He is with us and that is enough. What are you facing right now? When all is said and done, the last word is Immanuel, God with us. He is with you, you are not alone in this. You. will. get. through. this.

Verses 11-15 tells us “Don’t be like this people,

    always afraid somebody is plotting against them.

Don’t fear what they fear.

    Don’t take on their worries.” The Message

What are other people confessing around you? Or worse yet, to you? Hopelessness? Fear? Worry? Anxiety? What are you confessing to yourself? Are you stuck on negativity like a nagging ear worm? What or who are you listening to?

Don’t be like them. Without a hope. Don’t fear what they fear. Don’t take on their worries or anxieties. When all is said and done, the last word is Immanuel, God with us. You have Jesus. Trust Him, rest in Him. He has you. He is your refuge.

Verses 16-18 tells us “While I wait for God as long as he remains in hiding,

    while I wait and hope for him.

I stand my ground and hope,

    I and the children God gave me as signs to Israel” The Message

Don’t give up beloved. Don’t give up. Stand firm. Don’t compromise. Wait on God. Know He will move on your behalf. 

Verse 19-22 says, “When people tell you, “Try out the fortunetellers.

    Consult the spiritualists.

Why not tap into the spirit-world,

    get in touch with the dead?”

Tell them, “No, we’re going to study the Scriptures.”

This is how we build up our faith, “Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ.” Romans 10:17  Let others search elsewhere. We will stand on the Word. We will speak it out. The promises are “yes in Christ” 2 Corinthians 1:20 We will anchor our lives in the Truth. The Living and Active Word, Living and Abiding Word. 

I hope this encourages you today. I know it’s greatly encouraged me You know, I can’t control what happens around me. But I can choose my actions. What I confess in my thoughts and words. This message in Isaiah encourages me and challenges me that I don’t have to be like others who without hope. I can be intentional. I don’t want to be merely reactionary. I’d like to set the pace. 

You can too. I hope you enjoy this upcoming Christmas season. Remember this:

When all is said and done, 

     the last word is Immanuel,

God-with-us.