MESSAGES
I am with you always (Matthew 1:23)
Today I would like to talk about one of the most beautiful and powerful statements in the entire Bible, found in the Gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).
Here we see the evangelist Matthew quoting the prophetic word recorded in the book of Isaiah, written about 700 years before the birth of Jesus. This was a great promise from God for our lives, a promise that was fully confirmed by Christ and that remains alive in our journey.
» What Does It Mean to Have "God With Us"?
Immanuel means God with us, the present God. God didn't send Jesus just to take away the sin of the world; He came to dwell in us.
John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Having "God with us" means that He is actively here to:
• Help and comfort us in our weaknesses and distress.
• Teach us the way of righteousness and truth.
• Guard and protect us from the attacks of evil.
• Give us the victory we need in this world, empowering us daily to reach salvation.
Jesus once declared that He would not leave us as orphans, but that He would come to us.
John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
He left us this unshakable promise: Matthew 28:20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
We can ground ourselves happily and joyfully on this Word! Our God does not abandon us. He is taking care of us every day — perfecting us, protecting us, exhorting us, and, when necessary, rebuking us with love —, all so that we can reach His great goal: full restoration, placing us in His presence to live by His side forever.
» The Restoration of the Original Plan
Never forget that man was created to live eternally alongside his Creator. Because of Adam and Eve's sin, humanity lost the main foundation of its existence: the constant and pure presence of God, being expelled from paradise.
It was only through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus that we achieved the restoration of what God had planned for us since the beginning of the world!
» Towards the Promised Land
Therefore, feel happy and encouraged! Above all, you have the Lord Jesus by your side, walking with you to ensure that you reach the destination prepared by God.
Just as the people of Israel crossed the desert facing difficulties, scarcity, and struggles, but by promise and grace reached the Promised Land, we too will reach God's great goal for our lives: eternal life.
Rejoice and keep this in your heart: it is worth persevering. It is worth remaining in God's presence and being faithful to the Lord. Don't let the struggles and afflictions of this world draw you away from the Living God.
He cares for you, He loves you, He gave His life for you on the cross, and on the appointed day, He will return to rescue you forever. Persevere!
