Band together, you peoples, and be dismayed; listen, all you far countries; gird yourselves and be dismayed; gird yourselves and be dismayed!

Take counsel together, but it shall be brought to naught; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.

Isaiah 8:9-10

We can sense His presence in all situations of life because He is made real for us by the Holy Spirit. When we need to be reassured that God is with us, think about Jesus as He is revealed in the New Testament. Remember that He took little children in His arms and blessed them. Think of His crucifixion, and remember what He endured for us, as our Savior. The birth of Jesus gave us new significance to the name Immanuel, which means "God with us." Because He lived among us, died for us, and sent His Spirit to indwell us, we can rejoice!

God came to live with us so we could live with Him.

Our Daily Bread - December 14, 2003