In Search Of A Better Tomorrow

Wednesday, November 30

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional

Written by Pastor Phil Stout, of JAXNAZ Church

Read: Matthew 1:21-23

Matthew 1:21-23
New International Version (NIV)

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[b] (which means “God with us”).

Start:

Consider: Two prophecies in two testaments, separated by centuries, give us the same promise. In a time of war and fear, Isaiah said that the Lord would reveal himself—would give a sign…

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.’” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)

Centuries later, from a cave on the Island of Patmos, John saw a vision and declared…

“I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:3)

It’s the same message. “God is with us”—“God’s dwelling place is now among the people.” Both advents declare the same promise.

It is essential to see this or we will not understand how we are to live in this present age. The kingdom of heaven is coming, but it is already here. Jesus will come again, but he has already arrived. In other words, today we get to live in the new kingdom even as we await it in its fullness.

I get to live by the new kingdom values today. Today I get to receive and give grace. Today I get to be filled with hope. Today I get to love my enemy. Today I get to reject the sword and embrace the cross. Today I get to lay down my life for Christ and for his world.

I don’t have to live by the old, tired values of the kingdoms of this world. That’s the freedom given to us by Christ’s arrival.

Pray: “Lord, your presence is a gift beyond my comprehension. And yet I can know your presence. What my mind cannot conceive, my spirit can receive. Thank you for the promise and reality of Immanuel—God with us. God with me.”