God is With Us

December 22, 2022 — Krystal Craven
Devotional title text of "God With Us" overlaying a multicolored watercolor of two hands reaching towards each other and the pointer fingers touching.

So they set out, and as they sailed [Jesus] fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:23-24)

If you’ve ever been on a sailboat, the rhythmic rocking of the boat can be quite lulling, especially if you’re tired. Jesus’ ministry was busy. He routinely was around a lot of people often, teaching and doing miracles, and on guard against the Jewish leaders who sought to trap Him. It’s no wonder that Jesus fell asleep on the boat. He was also fully human after all.

In our lives, it can sometimes feel like Jesus has fallen asleep as we start to sail wherever He directed us, yet we can trust that in our life today, He has not. He always lives to make intercession for those whom He has saved (Hebrews 7:25), so even when He might be particularly silent in any given situation, He is there with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Silent Night?

When He seems silent, you can still trust His words to you and call out to Him whenever you want. If He gave you directions and said He’s taking you to the other side, then you can trust He’ll get you there and be with you through it, even if that means there will be danger.

Jesus may not choose to immediately speak and rebuke the wind and waves of your storm in every trial you go through. He may choose to help you navigate through it instead, refining you through the process. But regardless, He will be with you through it, every step of the way.

O Come, O Come Immanuel

As we are about to celebrate Christ’s birth, we read the foretold words of Isaiah that God gave Jesus, our Immanuel, to be with us.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Immanuel means God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)

And even though Jesus had ascended and is currently seated at the right hand of the Father, He prays for you and has given His followers the Holy Spirit and His peace.

I will not leave you as orphans…But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:18, 26-27)

If you’ve been getting beaten down by wind and waves lately, call out to your loving Lord and Savior, Jesus, and focus your mind on Him. You can have peace in that storm with the knowledge and meditation on the fact that He is with you.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Devotional title text of "God With Us" and the Bible verse Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel". All text is overlaying a multicolored watercolor of two hands reaching towards each other and the pointer fingers touching.