June 16

“Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (AMPC)

One of the most thought transforming aspects of this scripture, with all of its power and promise, is one small word, that makes such an immense difference to everything we do.  And that is the word, “with”. 
 
Jesus came, fully man, and fully God, to be “with” us on the earth—not to go ahead of us for us to chase after Him, or to go behind us so that we feel out ahead and vulnerable—but He came to walk, talk, and work with us and do life together—gloriously connected, always present—side by side.
 
God Himself came, in the form and fashion of a man, so that we would not be on our own.  This is not some far off and distant God that we are to worship yet never know or be known by, but rather a very up close and personal God Who says, “You are here by My design so that we could experience life as one”! His desire is to teach, encourage, comfort, care, and empower. Never leaving or forsaking us—never wanting or expecting us to go it alone.  
 
Side by side, hand in hand, that is the way your life in the Beloved is meant to be. In the extraordinary moments that take your breath away or the mundane day-to-day tasks that want to try your patience, He is there.  It is not your works or labour that He wants, or even expects, for He knows that apart from Him you can do no good thing anyway!    He wants you to know, that “with you” is why He came, and it is His favourite place to be!