Daily Power #340

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14)

Have you ever had a hard decision to make and asked God to give you a sign? For most people, we rarely get the bold skywriting from God that we would like to have regarding our next steps. Instead we often have indicators that are more subtle—a verse from God’s Word, wise advice from a trusted friend, or circumstantial evidence.

The people of Israel had been promised a Messiah, a savior for God’s people, for so long. Year after year they waited, until finally they were losing faith. But throughout the more than four hundred years they waited on the arrival of Jesus, God never forgot his people or his promise to them. Speaking these words from today’s verse through the prophet Isaiah, God clearly outlined the birth of his Son to a virgin. It’s no coincidence that this name, Immanuel, means “God with us.”

Christmas often gets so defined by its commercial, decorative aspects that we overlook it as a celebration of God keeping his promise. But like a loving parent dropping hints to a child eager to know what’s inside a present, God provides reminders of his generosity. He gave us the best, most perfect gift he was able to give. He allowed his Son Jesus to be born as a baby in a manger in a little, backwoods town called Bethlehem.

Beneath all the bright lights and shiny tinsel, look for reminders that God is with you today—and every day.

Power Lift

Open my eyes, Lord, and open my heart so I can see the many ways you reveal yourself to me during this wonderful holiday season.