The Names of God - Emmanuel

God with Us

Why am I writing about the names of God? 
Another important name of God in the Bible that was given to Jesus (prophesied by Isaiah, attributed to Jesus by Matthew) is Emmanuel - God with Us.  

While I don't have a specific experience that stands out where I could say that makes this name of God significant to me, I take a lot of comfort from all the verses in the Bible that tell me God is with me.  I need this comfort and encouragement because believing that He is with me is a faith journey a lot of the time.  I will admit, I'm sometimes a bit jealous that the people of Jesus' time actually got to see him, hear him, touch him.

Bible verses that I often remember in my prayers when I thank God for his presence with me are:

• He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother - Proverbs 18:24
• He is an ever-present help in time of need - Psalm 46:1
• Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with me - Psalm 23:4
• He will be with me always, even unto the end of the age - Matthew 28:20
• They will call his name Emmanuel, God with us - Matthew 1:23

The best story I can think of that exemplifies this in the Bible is in Daniel chapter 3, when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were condemned to die in Nebuchadnezzar's furnace of fire.  They stood resolute against his threats, refusing to bow down and worship his golden statue.  In response, King Nebuchadnezzar had the furnace heated 7 times hotter, and threw them in it.  Then this happened in Daniel 3:24-25:

Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?”

“That’s right, O king,” they said.

“But look!” he said. “I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!” 

This sounds a lot like Isaiah 43:2 where Isaiah says:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

God with Me

When I was growing up, I made more than one announcement to my parents that I wanted to be a hermit, live in the woods along, and work my own trap line.  After I left home, the idea of being a hermit didn't last long.  While I do enjoy my solitude, I also enjoy companionship.  Walks with my wife lately are a cherished activity.  

One of the first things God said in Genesis after he created Adam was 'It is not good for man to be alone.'  While I do enjoy my wife's companionship and she is a fantastic helpmate in many problems, sometimes even my wife can't understand the things I struggle with - a work issue, or something else - and I can feel very 'alone' in a problem.  The comfort of knowing that God is 'an ever-present help in time of need' is paramount.  He promised to be with me, listen to me, and walk through this with me.  The catch? I have to believe these promises.

Photo by Jan Canty on Unsplash

Other Names of God Significant to me..

• El Roi - God Sees Me
• Jehovah Shalom - God is my Peace
• Elohim Shomri - God is my Protector
• Jehovah Jireh - God my Provider
• Jehovah Rapha - God our Healer