48: Does God Really Care about Me?
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).
WHEN WE LOOK AROUND the world and see problems such as terrorism, people losing their homes because of wildfires, and refugees desperately seeking safety, we realize that these are big issues compared to the ones we typically face in our own lives. Yet we hope that God sees our small needs and cares about them.
Does God, the Creator of the Universe, honestly care about our infinitesimally small problems?
Most of us would answer yes because that’s what we’re supposed to say. Yet there are times when we want rock-solid assurance of His faithful care.
Most of us have been shaped by Enlightenment philosophers who picture God as a divine watchmaker —a Being who set the universe in motion and then sat back to watch it all tick. The Bible says differently. It presents a God who is intimately close, who speaks one-on-one with people, including Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, and Mary.
God wanted to reinforce this thinking that He is near to us. Isaiah 7:14 says, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Immanuel in the Hebrew is a simple construction that means, “God with us.” It’s as much a sign as a name and signifies that in coming to earth God has chosen to dwell among us.
God says that He will come to us in His Son and live in us through His Spirit. I’m asking God to make this new to me this month. I have heard the Christmas story all my life, and it can become rote.
I once visited a synagogue in Israel, and above the ornate Torah scroll cabinet were inscribed these words in Hebrew: “Know Before Whom You Stand.” It was a place of awe, perhaps even a little terror. The words are a reminder that you’re standing in the presence of God Himself.
The Jewish people live with a sense of God’s presence. When we entered the synagogue, we men had to wear a yarmulke. Its purpose is to remind us to be humbly in awe of God’s presence all around us. He’s ever near us. He’s infinitely powerful, yet near.
At this time of year, with so much going on, isn’t it ironic that we can be singing about Immanuel and almost forget His presence completely?
Over these next few weeks, reflect on the closeness of God in your life.
Immanuel —God with us. Yes, Jesus cares.
Questions
- How do you balance being in awe of God and the fact that He cares personally for you?
- We are to live in the reality of Immanuel —God with us. How has God been personally present in your life? How can an awareness of God’s presence enhance your celebration of Christmas this year?
- What problems, big and small, can you bring to God right now? How does the fact that Jesus cares bring you peace?