READ: Matthew 1 (Focus vs. 18-25)
MEMORY VERSE
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
BACKGROUND
Henry David Thoreau described a city as a place where many people are “lonesome together.” Those words have the ring of truth. In my youth, songs like “Mr. Lonely,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Eleanor Rigby” focused on isolation and loneliness.
In recent years, the pandemic was one of the most isolating seasons the world has known. And social media can feed that loneliness, giving us connection without relationship. Perhaps loneliness is the new pandemic.
As Matthew shared the story of the birth of Jesus (1:18-25), he told us, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet [Isaiah]: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’) ” (vv. 22-23).
Ponder that for a moment. God with us!
As believers in Jesus, we’re never alone. We’ve been born again into the family of Christ, a family that spans the globe and the ages. The apostle Paul said, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19).
We’re loved by the ever-present God, who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Whatever you’re facing today, your heavenly Father is present with you. Allow Him to help you as you step into life’s uncertainties and challenges. He’s with you.
Bill Crowder
INSIGHT
Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). John’s gospel describes His incarnation in this way: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
The concept that God is with His people can be seen throughout the Bible. It’s the theme of Psalm 46, where the repeated refrain is: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vv. 7, 11).
The psalm concludes with this tender appeal to those facing loneliness or any other life challenge: “Be still, and know that I am God” (v. 10). Whatever we’re facing today, God is with us, and we’re never alone.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
When have you felt lonely? When experiencing this sense of isolation, how do you respond to it?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“We’re loved by the ever-present God…Allow Him to help you as you step into life’s uncertainties and challenges. He’s with you.”
PR’s TAKE
“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” Mother Teresa
“Today’s social media promotes connectivity but no relationships.” Adapted – Today’s post
“Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone…Solitude expresses the glory of being alone (for the believer with the Lord) Paul Tillich
PRAYER
“Thank You, Father, that because of Your abiding presence, I’m never alone.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD WITH US” Don Moen
He walked where I walked
He stood where I stand
He felt what I feel
He understands
He knows my frailty
Shared my humanity
Tempted in every way
Yet without sin
God with us!
So close to us
God with us
Emmanuel
God with us!
So close to us
God with us
Emmanuel
One of a hated race
Stung by the prejudice
Suffering injustice
Yet He forgives!
Wept for my wasted years
He paid for my wickedness
He died in my place
That I might live
God with us!…
God is good
We sing and shout it
God is good
We celebrate
God is good
No more we doubt it
God is good
We know it’s true
And when I think of His love for me
My heart fills with praise and I feel like dancing
For in His heart there is no room for me
And I run with arms open wide
Now unto the King eternal
Unto the reigning King
Unto the Lord Almighty
Praises I will sing
To the King eternal
Sing to the King of kings
Sing to declare His glory
Let His praises ring
So I will lift my hands
In joy before the King
I lift my hands in praise
I lift my heart in joyful jubilation
I lift my voice in praise
And I will shout “blessing” to the King
And I will shout “glory” to the King
And I will shout “honor” to the King
And I will shout “power” to the King
Declaring blessing and glory
And honor and power
Belong to Jesus the King of kings
