God is with us

An article I received this past week poses the question, "If Christ was born into the world to redeem it, why doesn't our world look more redeemed?"  What is your take on the question?  Better still, how would you answer the question?  Did the birth of Jesus into our world actually bring about the changes to deal with sickness and disease. or hunger and homelessness?  Some might wonder why there is still war, or the greatest question, why do we still face death?

There is one verse in the Bible which, in announcing the birth of Jesus, lets us know "His name shall be called Immanuel."  Scripture further tells us, that name actually means, "God is with us."

Is that an adequate answer to the ills of mankind?  Actually, the questions are real, but the answer is real, too.  But connected with the answer is the unraveling of a great mystery.  The mystery that is easier understood if we take a look at what the birth of Jesus does not mean.  This is something we all must understand  and come to accept.  Brace yourself for this truth.  Believing in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind, the Son of God, who will return to claim the faithful, does not mean we have a " free-pass" to spare us from loneliness, pain, illness, anxieties, fears, betrayals, or the countless negatives that are a part of the human experience.

What is does mean is when those bad things happen to us, God is promising to walk with us.  We will have Him to lean on, to comfort us, even guide us in dealing with life's negatives.  Even while I type that I can sense the response from some, (a response that I, also have felt.)  It can be seen in this person's statement, "Ok, I belong to God and He belongs to me, and when something bad happens it's like I can reach out and hold his hand till the storms of life pass.....how can we say 'God is with us,' when most of the time it feels like he isn't?"

The answer to the mystery begins to unfold when we take a glance backwards into the events of our lives.  When we see our own story we can see how He has been present with us all the time, in the sense of being our protector, our guide, our realization of his presence, and especially his love.  It is only when we see the real picture of all God has done for us, that we can, in glorious anticipation, know that he continues to be with us when we are facing life's issues.

The New Testament gospel writers were right in telling us the name Immanuel really does mean, "God is with us."  Even in our anxieties, he brings us peace. Our fearful hearts find comfort in Him.  Our sinful experience can find forgiveness only in Him.

Search for, and experience the peace he brings.  That's when we can rest assured in his promise, "I am with your always."  And the answer to the mystery not only brings a blessing to you in knowing he is with you, it molds your mind and your heart to be able to love others, just like God wants you to.  Every person in our world needs to be aware "God is with us."   It's the only way our world will know "Peace on earth, good will to men."

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