ImmanuelSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Problems are unavoidable in our lives. It is the lifestyle of every believer who has accepted Christ and has won the victory over trials and tribulations. We win over them because Christ is in us. In a certain village, there lived a husband and wife, who had lost their eyesight in both eyes. God gave them a son who had good eyesight. They were so happy and named him 'Immanuel'. Whenever they call him "Immanuel!", he would run to his parents and be with them. Whenever they wanted to go out, they would call him, "Immanuel!", he would run to them, hold both their hands and lead them wherever they wanted to go.
The word 'Immanuel' means 'God is with us'. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, who was a virgin and said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:30,31,35)
Perhaps Mary would have been perturbed on hearing something so supernatural. She was a virgin. She would have been in a great confusion. The angel had appeared to her alone and said that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, though she had not known a man. But the world will not understand and will doubt her version. Joseph, her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly (Matthew 1:19). She would have bemoaned that her family life would end up in tears and disgrace.
A certain sister once wrote her sad story seeking my prayer, "It is only a few months since we fell in love and got married. We both used to go for our jobs in the morning and would come home in the evening. We led a very happy married life together. My husband heard some false reports of our neighbours about me, lost his love for me and began to find faults. In course of time, he began to despise me and started to have an affair with another woman. Alas! I have lost all hope and happiness in my married life! I shudder when I think of my future!"
Dear friend, many youth are in such painful situations today. But look at Mary. Amidst fear and uncertainty, she implicitly believed the words of the angel and said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:38). She knew that the world might scoff at her, but yet she trusted the Lord God Almighty. He was her Immanuel and would never permit her life to be shattered. The Lord honoured her trust and steadfast faith. Similarly, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). In this manner, the Lord built Mary's family life.
Dear friend, are you perturbed about your future? Are you worried about how you are going to face your future? Our gracious and loving Lord is your Immanuel. He desires to live with you and take over all your problems. The Immanuel who helped Mary and Joseph, who raised their family will take responsibility of your future as well. Let not your heart be troubled!
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Help me not to be worried or frightened about the problems that I face in my daily life. Grant me Your grace to believe and trust that even amidst the problems, You are with me as Immanuel. Teach me to face all trials and tribulations with cheer and faith, trusting Your might and love. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |