In fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 7:14), Joseph was told by an angel that Mary had conceived a baby by the power of the Holy Spirit and he should name the child, Jesus (Hebrew, “God saves” or “God is salvation”). He would become known as Immanuel (Hebrew, “God with us”; Matt. 1:20-23).
God is eternal (Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2; Isa. 40:28) and has always been Immanuel to his people. In the past, the glory of God’s divine presence was seen in a thick cloud of smoke over Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:9,16-19; 24:15-18) and above the tabernacle in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night guiding the Israelites through the desert from Egypt to Canaan (Exod. 13:21-22; 40:34-38).
In the person of Jesus, God came to dwell among his people, manifesting his divine presence in a very personal way (John 1:14). Christ promised never to abandon his followers, leaving them as orphans (John 14:16-21). He fulfilled this promise shortly after his resurrection by sending us his Holy Spirit to dwell within the hearts of all who put faith in him and love him (Ezek. 36:26-27; Acts 2:1-4).
It keeps getting better! Upon our resurrection, we will dwell with God in the new spiritual world order of his kingdom of eternal rest prepared by him for the faithful (Exod. 33:14; John 14:1-3; Rev. 21:1-5). There perfected in love and holiness, we will experience complete oneness with God (John 17:20-26).
During Advent, joyfully recall God’s divine presence with his beloved people: PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE, expressed in the book of Revelation this way, he is “who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8). When God feels absent in your life during times of trouble, trust that even then, he is with you to offer you his strength and help (Ps. 23:4; 34:18; Isa. 41:13; 43:2,5).
Walking with Jesus Series, Refl. #129, Dec. 2025
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