IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US!

Today I am speaking on “IMMANUEL!” Immanuel is a Hebrew male name that means “God with us.” 

In the Old Testament the name was given to a child born in the time of Ahaz. This child’s birth was a sign to the king that Judah would no longer be attacked by Israel and Syria; God would be “with Judah” by protecting them.

From today, you’ll no longer be attacked by the enemy – lack, sickness, disease, fear, poverty etc. because God would be with you to protect you.

In the Old Testament, a baby is born whose name means “God with us.” In the New Testament, a baby is born whose entire life means “God with us.”

What is the significance of the Old Testament Immanuel? The Old Testament Immanuel is a prophecy of the birth of Christ, the Messiah.

Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

The Gospel of Matthew confirms the prophecy about the Old Testament Immanuel. Matthew 1:18-23 says, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily [secretly, privately].

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

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.”

Here is the point – You should know that according to the Scriptures:

1. God is in you. 1 John 4:4 says, “...greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

2. God is for you. Romans 8:31, 37 says, “What shall we then say to THESE THINGS? If God be FOR us, who can be against us? ....37 Nay, in all THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Which things? All the trials and troubles you are going through right now.

3. God is on your side. So, there is absolutely no reason for you to be afraid of anything.  Psalms 118:6 says, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”

The Psalmist said, “If it had, not, been, for the Lord on my side, tell me where would I be, where would I be? (Ps. 124:1-5)

4. God is with you. This is the meaning of “Immanuel.” In Joshua 1:5 God said, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Psalms 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  Why? FOR THOU [GOD] ART WITH ME; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

In Isaiah 43:2-5 God said, “When thou passest through the waters, I WILL BE WITH THEE; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable [like Jabez], and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 FEAR NOT: FOR I AM WITH THEE...”

For how long is God with you? Forever! Hebrews 13:5 says, “...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

For how long is God with you? Always! Matthew 28:20 says, “... I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

If you are Born Again just know that God is with you always. The very moment you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour He came into your life and began to dwell in your spirit-man in the person of the Holy Spirit.

In Revelations 3:20 Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

Beloved, when you are conscious of the fact that God is with you always, you will fear no evil.  

·         You may be crying right now because of the adverse circumstances surrounding you, but if you can just realize that God is with you, then it will become clear to you that you cannot go under.

·         Your bank account may be in red, but because you know that God is with you, you know that when you are down to zero, God is up to something.

·         You may have just lost your job and it seems that all hope is gone, but you know that God is with you. That closed door against you is only but an open door in the direction God wants you to go.

·         You have just lost a loved one, the person that has always paid all your bills and it seems all hope is gone, but you know that God is with you. Your help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

·         You are not sure how you are going to get the next meal, but you know God is with you. He shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:19).

·         The doctors may have told you that your case is hopeless and that you have three days to live, but you know that God is with you. Let all men be liars but let God be true: by His stripes you have been made whole (1 Pet. 2:24)

·         Your marriage may be going through serious shakings right now even to the point that divorce is the next step, but you know that God is with you, and that He is able to keep both of you together in perfect peace.

·         You may be right in the middle of a terrible storm, but you know that God is with you (Ps. 34:19).

·         You may be in the fiery furnace right now like the three Hebrew children, but you know that God is with you even in that place. The fiery furnace cannot destroy you (Isa. 54:17; Isa. 43:2; Ps. 23:4). 

That you are engaged in a battle does not make you a conqueror. A conqueror is someone who is permanently registered on the winning side. If you are a child of God, you are permanently registered on the winning side. Why? Because you know that God is with you and He, Jehovah Nissi, is the very one that fights the battle for you while you keep your peace. This is what makes you not just a conqueror but more than a conqueror. Hallelujah!

A conqueror is a person who knows no defeat or failure because he knows that God is backing him, and He is the very One fighting the battle for him. He prepares a table before you, and He anoints your head with oil and your cup runs over (Ps. 23:5).

2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.”

1 John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: BECAUSE greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

1 John 5:4 says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is THE VICTORY that overcometh the world, even OUR FAITH.”

Matthew 28:20

Day 27

There is a level of confidence that comes up in you when you are sure that God is with you always. You become so powerful when you get this truth right into your sub-conscious mind.

The disciples of Jesus could not get themselves reconciled with this truth. For instance:

Mark 4:35-41 says, “And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Beloved it is suicide to go to anywhere without Jesus. It is risky to get involved with somebody or in a deal without Jesus.

Matthew 14:22-33 says, “And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

Joshua and Caleb had understanding of this truth. In their hopeless situation, Joshua and Caleb recognized that God was with them, and so they cannot be defeated (Num. 13:26-14:9).

In Numbers 14:7-9 Joshua and Caleb spoke unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

8 If the LORD delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and THE LORD IS WITH US: fear them not.”

Young David was a boy that realized the fact that God was with him always. That was the confidence and boldness that enabled him to face and overcome Goliath (1 Sam. 17:1-54).

The three Hebrew children, Shedrach, Meschach and Abednego were men that knew that God was with them always, so the raging fire cannot have any effect on them (Dan. 3).

In Isaiah 43:2-5 God said, “When thou passest through the waters, I WILL BE WITH THEE; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 FEAR NOT: FOR I AM WITH THEE...”

Daniel was another man that knew that because Jesus (The Lion of the tribe of Judah) was with him always, the hungry lions could have no power over him (Dan. 6).

Beloved, just remember that every trial you have been through has an expiration date. So don’t give up, but hang in there because God is with you.

Psalms 30:5 says, “...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

In John 8:29 Jesus demonstrated the need for you to develop a consciousness that God is with you always.  Jesus said, “And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; FOR I DO ALWAYS those things that please Him.”

As we enter the New Year, just be very conscious of the fact that God is with you always. The consciousness of this fact will help you to start the New Year well and also finish strong.

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

• Your friend, I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor).                      11.12. 2016.

Promise of God: “...There will always be plenty of flour and oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again” (1 Kings 17:14).