Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
This passage of scripture gives us the assurance that God is with His people who are called by His name, and that He also cares for, and yearns after those who do not know Him. The word "Us" does not only refer to bloodline Jews, but it also includes every gentile, every foreigner, every stranger, and outcast who might feel ostracized, or marginalized by society. It is not a correct view of God that He is only concerned with those who show interest in Him, for if this were the case, then none of us would be saved, because the natural man in his unconverted state lacks the will or the desire to love God, in and of his own self. Love begets love, and our appreciation and love of God stems directly from the fact that He first loved us.
When Jesus came to this earth, the world was lying in a state of moral and spiritual darkness, for religion had become a mechanical veneer of ceremonies and vain formalities, which did no good to the participants or the beholders, being void of the spirit of the law. Men were seeking some new duty or practice that would afford them a right to the kingdom of God, and because this type of religion is without form and void, spiritual darkness rested in thick shadows upon the face of the earth. Thus it was in this setting that the words of hope were spoken by the prophet saying "God with us".
As Jesus passed by from day to day, mingling with the crowds of people who followed Him, He sought at every opportunity to undo the evils which had been set in motion by the adversary of souls, including sickness, disease, strife, lawlessness, and the type of religion which had become so popular in His day, one that was based on a type of penance, by which many of the scribes and pharisees hoped to atone for their sins by self mortification through a series of stipulated washings and many long prayers. This Christ ardently sought to reverse, because the true spirit of the law leads all who submit to Christ, to a freedom that can never be attained with the outward observances and ceremonial activities by which many seek to find favor with God. Hence the reason why Jesus stated emphatically that if The Son shall make us free, we shall be free indeed. Let's read:
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
When God is with us and in us, there is a peace and contentment that pervades the entire life, and the restless anxiety and care which formerly consumed all of our energies and thoughts, are exchanged for a freedom that rests by faith in the sure mercies and promises of God, knowing that he cares for us. This is not to say that the Christian will not have difficulties and problems like anyone else, but the big difference is that we have a solution and answer in Christ, for whatever the devil and his agents might throw at us, we can be more than conquerors through God who loves us. This sacred truth is stated in the scriptures with the intent that we may face life's challenges with fortitude and courage. Let's read:
Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
In our day the same sacred promise of God being with us is still relevant and applicable to those who are saved, and those who are wandering in darkness. Christ came to call sinners to repentance, and as such, His energies and agencies are actively engaged in seeking out those who would be heirs of salvation, even though at this moment they may be in bars, brothels, gangs, and jails, or hiding in plain sight behind suits and ties. We all need the assurance of that solemn promise, "God with us", and it is His will that every member of the human family be turned from the temporal and mundane things of life, to behold the glory and magnificence of the Eternal God, for in Him is the life and freedom which Christ died to bestow upon us.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which appeals to our innermost being, to avail ourselves of the opportunity to know God on an individual level, for when this is accomplished, we will know the true meaning of those endearing words, "God with us. Let's read:
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!