Advent Devotional

Isaiah 7:10-17

The main emphasis of this passage is that “God is with us”. We know this from the use of the name, “Immanuel” for the boy to be born, because “Immanuel” is Hebrew for “God with us”.

We surely know that God is with us from our own experience of Him every day. But remember that this passage is a ‘sign’ to Ahaz and his people at a time that Ahaz was uncertain about his experience of the Lord. By the use of “Immanuel”, we rejoice that it points to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The passage reassures us that God is present with us always and everywhere; as “Lord” over the depth of Sheol (dwelling place of the dead) and to the height of heaven. Because of God’s omnipresence, we are always able (when we are willing) to find Him and His guidance to help us tell what is evil and to give us strength to choose what is good.

PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, we thank you for being with us always and for your love which is enduring. We thank you for Jesus and His love, His teachings and His sacrifice for each one of us. Hear our prayers when we ask for help, for guidance and for strength to do what is right; to do what is good. Enable us to overcome Earthly temptations and distractions that we might not disappoint you, but that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts will be acceptable in your sight. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Jan Heckler