One of the words in the Bible that has profoundly touched me during my faith journey is Immanuel. The Lord our God has been addressed by various sacred names. Immanuel, a name we particularly invoke during the Advent season, means “God with us” (Matthew 1:3. The term “Immanuel” consists of two separate words in Hebrew: “Immanu” meaning “with us” and “El” meaning “God.” Immanuel, a word of hope, indicates that God is with us all the time – not only in moments of sorrow but also in times of happiness, not only during failure but also in success. God is with us at home, at work, at school, at church, and everywhere else. This intimate relational concept is consistently revealed from the first book, Genesis, to the last holy text, Revelation, in the Bible.

During the time of Creation, the Lord prepared the Garden of Eden for our spiritual ancestors, Adam and Eve, and placed the Tree of Knowledge in the center of the Garden (Genesis 2). This image is a powerful reminder of God’s ongoing presence with them. In the book of Isaiah, God promised the people of Israel to be with them through challenges, declaring, “passing through the waters, rivers, and fire” (Isaiah 43:1-3). God assured King David of His provision and protection even in the most difficult circumstance. In turn, David later expressed his genuine faith in God’s companionship through his sincere confession from Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1-4).

When the people of Judah faced the threat of an attack from their neighbouring countries, the Lord demonstrated God’s existence through the Promised Messiah, named Immanuel Jesus Christ. The Apostle Matthew further described the Mighty and Merciful God who had been near the people of Israel. The Lord fulfilled the prophecy of the virgin conceiving and giving birth to a son who would be called Immanuel, meaning, one more time, “God with us” (Matthew 1:22-23). In the final chapter of the Bible, the Apostle John introduces Jesus Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, who has been with us from the beginning of Creation to the completion of the New Creation (Revelation 22:12-13). While anticipating Christ’s soon return, John praises the Lord and promises His continuous grace upon His people (Revelation 22:21).

Do we hear the refrain of God, “I will be with you,” echoed again and again? This morning I want us to reflect on both today’s Old and New Testament scriptures, especially concerning the name of God, Immanuel, and apply these spiritual insights to our faith journey.

In today’s sacred text from the Book of Isaiah, we discover God’s promise as well as His warning through the invitation of Immanuel. The Lord invited Ahaz, the king of Judah, and the people of Judah, to place their entire trust in God, who promised His presence in the midst of all the pressures from their neighbouring countries. In those days, the nation of Assyria held the strongest power in those regions. Rezin, the king of Aram, and Pekah, the king of the Northern of Kingdom of Israel, had collaborated to oppose the Assyrians. Both kings wanted King Ahaz to assist them in fighting against their common enemy, Assyria; however, Ahaz was not interested in cooperating with them. Instead, he chose to rely on Assyria’s strength. This complex political situation led both Aram and the Northern Kingdom to plot against the Southern Kingdom of Judah. When King Ahaz and his people learned about this potential threat, they were afraid of these unprecedented consequences. At that time, God sent His prophet Isaiah to speak to the people of Judah about His protection and provision. Isaiah diligently delivered God’s message, stating: “It will not take place, it will not happen… Be careful, keep calm, and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood” (Isaiah 7:4,7). In other words, these combined attacks would be futile and insignificant due to God’s mighty presence.

Furthermore, the Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, wanted King Ahaz to ask for “a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights” (Isaiah 7:10). Regardless of how significant or small the symbol was, God intended to show His merciful presence through it. However, Ahaz and the people of Judah did not trust in God, so they did not seek the sign and continued to place their faith in Assyria. Despite their disregard for God’s gift, the Lord offered evidence – a forthcoming son of a virgin called Immanuel. According to Isaiah, this Immanuel child would discern right from wrong. Through this promised child, the Lord would bring peace and victory to the people of Judah in the coming days (Isaiah 7:17).

In addition to this assurance, God also issued a warning: “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9). Not only were the people of Judah invited to receive God’s promise, but they were also cautioned that they would not escape God’s judgment if they kept relying on human power over God’s strength.

In today’s divine text from the Gospel of Matthew, we can explore the concept of the incarnated God taking human form and appreciate the Immanuel ministry. One day, Joseph learned that Mary, his fiancée, was pregnant without his knowledge. In reality, she had conceived through the Holy Spirit; however, Joseph struggled to comprehend God’s miraculous plan. In a dream, an angel of the Lord reassured Joseph of God’s intervention in Mary’s conception. Moreover, the angel helped Joseph understand the significance of all the events unfolding around them. Mary would bear a son, fulfilling God’s initial promise about the Seed of the Woman, which was declared in the Garden at the time when Adam and Eve doubted God’s presence in the future (Genesis 3:15). Joseph was instructed to name the baby “Jesus because He will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Once again, all these events were part of God’s longstanding faithful purposes established long before. Through these divine plans, God’s provision and protection for all people struggling with their sinfulness have been revealed since the time of Adam and Eve. Particularly because of God’s wonderful promise, we, as sinful beings, are invited to come to Immanuel Christ and cast out all our burdens, fears, and challenges into the merciful and mighty hands of the Lord with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In today’s godly text from the Book of Psalm, we can discern our identity in the presence of the Immanuel God. The Psalmist begins these beautiful lyrics with praise and concludes these wonderful poems with praise. The reason for this is that the author recognizes how majestic God’s name is in all the earth (Psalm 8:1). The Psalmist particularly acknowledges God’s loving and caring presence over all human beings. According to this scripture, we, as imperfect and sinful beings, are considered lower than God’s angels, who are almost perfect and live a holy life. However, God has been mindful of us, cared for us, and crowned us with glory and honor. Additionally, God has made us rulers over the works of His hands and has put everything under our feet. Despite our shortcomings and failures, God has deemed us the best of the best in His creation. God has been with us regardless of the wrongdoings we have committed in our faith journey.

When the Psalmist comprehends God’s pardon for us and His partnership with us, he cannot help but sing to the Lord. He cannot stop thanking the Lord: “Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:1,9).

While preparing this message, like the Psalmist, I could not help but praise the Lord, my Immanuel God. In anticipation of Advent, the arrival of Christ, I have reflected on the name of Immanuel – God with us – and realized anew the many blessings He has bestowed upon my loved ones and me. First and foremost, God has pardoned me from all my shortcomings, failures, mistakes, and wrongdoings through Christ Jesus, who saves me from my sins. Thanks to God’s forgiveness, I can be continuously renewed and transformed into the person that God wants me to be. Because of God’s steadfast love, I can courageously and confidently move forward in His bright direction.

Please understand this: I still encounter challenges one after another. As I have shared before, I often feel like a sandwich in my relational life. Besides taking care of myself, like many of you, I bear other responsibilities as the son of my lonely mother, the husband of my beloved wife, and the father or parent of our wonderful sons and our new daughter-in-law. It has been a privilege and a pleasure for me to have these loving people in my life. How blessed I am to journey with them before the Lord. Because I love each of them so much, my heart breaks when I see them facing challenges in their faith journey. Over the years, I have tried to help them as much as possible, and they have also assisted me in various ways. Speaking of the sandwich concept, these multiple layers I wear demand from my loved ones my effort, energy and emotion, in addition to my time and resources.

Sometimes I feel a similar sentiment to the one expressed in the well-known poem titled “Footprints in the Sand.” Like the writer, during times of challenges, I have asked the same question: “I could see only one set of footprints… You promised me, Lord, that you would walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?” I believe most of us know the famous line of God’s response. “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.” This popular statement highlights our special relationship with God Immanuel. As I observed the challenges that my loved ones and I handled, God seemed distant from my close individuals and myself. Yet, when I carefully look back on many challenging moments I have experienced and many challenging times I have participated in with my loved ones, today, I acknowledge that God has been with my loved ones and myself during all these times.

Once again, life unfolds as a series of challenges; however, from God’s perspective, all these obstacles fall under the authority of God Immanuel. When we view them through the eye of the Lord, we can interpret them as divine opportunities to experience God’s presence, protection, and provision in our faith journey. From this perspective, we can sing to the Lord regardless of our challenges and continue to move forward into God’s prepared plans in our faith journey.

Everybody faces their own struggles and sorrows in life. Some people deal with depression, discouragement, anxiety, and fear, all of which may originate from the power of death. Whether we acknowledge it or not, in a sacred sense, we cannot be saved from these without Jesus. The birth of Immanuel signifies salvation from spiritual bondages for anyone who opens their hearts to Jesus. God has led us from the oppression of death to the path of life.

Friends, reflect on why God continues to love us as sinful human beings and seeks to restore us to fellowship with Him. We don’t know why God persists in wanting to be with us, still sinful and disobedient as we are. This mysterious love God shows each of us. Immanuel God is always near us. He knows everything about us and perceives our thoughts and feelings – whether in moments of hurt or joy. He sees us completely and understands what is happening to us moment by moment.

When we remember God’s presence, there is no reason for us to fear. The Lord Immanuel will not leave or forsake us. No matter how desperate conditions become, we know that God is with us always. Whatever storms we may be going through this Advent season, remember the Immanuel God. When we are convinced of God’s merciful and mighty presence, we can boldly serve the Lord and glorify His name during the journey of our spiritual life.

Friends, the question God has for us this morning is the same as it was for King Ahaz, the people of Judah, and Joseph and Mary and their people in those days: “Will you trust in the God who is with you?” May God bless every one of us with a joyful and healthy Advent and help us experience Immanuel, God with us, in the coming days! Amen.

* In this sermon, I have used some materials and thoughts from various messages based on the following texts: Isaiah 7:1-17; Psalm 8:1-9; Matthew 1:18-25.