“God Is Fully With Us In These Strange Days”

“God Is Fully With Us In These Strange Days”
 
By Mary Lindow
 
Just over 2,000 years ago, Emmanuel, also called the Christ, changed the world. 
In that moment when God became flesh, humanity watched prophecies unfold as hope was born. Jesus, our Emmanuel, provided hope that sin and death wouldn’t always win and mankind wouldn’t always feel so painfully alone. 
 
What Does Emmanuel Mean in the Bible?
It’s a word written on countless Christmas cards and sung in some of our most-loved carols. 
In Scripture, it first appears in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14, which says, 
 
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; 
The virgin will conceive, and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Emmanuel”.
 
The Lord Himself will do this, Scripture says. 
In other words, this act, which occurred in the birth of Christ, was God-ordained and God-accomplished. 
 
This points to grace, which doesn’t come through human effort but rather through relying on God to do what we humans cannot. This was the reason Christ came. 
 
God GAVE us this child, named Emmanuel,
which literally means, 
“with us is God,” or “God WITH us.” 
 
He may seem distant. 
It may even seem impossible this year for you to feel hopeful. 
You might have lost your job. 
Or maybe you’re feeling isolated from those you love. 
You may have even grieved the loss of a family member or friend.
 
Though he may have felt far away to them, 
God was so much closer than his people knew —
gently planning Jesus’ entrance into the world
in the most unexpected way.
 
Looking around, all you might be able to see right now is darkness. 
If you try to adjust your eyes, blinking into the night, there seems to be no light. 
The weight of sickness, death, injustice and pain perhaps, seem too heavy.
 
That’s why I love this idea of advent which is practiced only among Christians. 
And yes, it comes from probably a more liturgical view, but has been so embraced and now practice in homes and church gatherings across the world, as families gather to contemplate and to pray and to spend quiet time discussing when Jesus came as a child as the Messiah! 
Emmanuel!!! God WITH Us!
 
 
Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and refers to the Christian season that begins four Sundays before Christmas, where focusing on preparation for the celebration of Jesus's birth and his anticipated return is a beautiful thing! It’s definitely better than the commercial glut of constant “buy, buy, buy,” and, the overkill of sappy fantasy Christmas shows, as well as the pressurized giving of gifts to every boss, coworker, friend and pet! 
It’s a time of expectation, reverence and hope for many Christians!
 
I was reading through a Wycliffe advent devotional last evening, and these words so struck me that I’m going to share them with you trusting that they too, will move your heart to remember that Emmanuel, God …. IS with us! 
No matter what may come
 
This excerpt of the devotional said,
“As we enter the Advent season, do you feel weary? You’re not alone.
Or maybe you’re just tired. Numb. Ready to pull the covers over your head and try this whole "Christmas cheer" thing again next year. 
 
Don’t feel guilty. 
Instead, acknowledge the very real darkness of this world and you’ll have eyes to see Advent through the same lens as the people waiting for a Messiah thousands of years ago.
You could even say that being weary and worn out is an acceptable place from which to approach this Advent season. Because Advent exists to remind us that, while darkness surrounds us and troubles exist, the hope of Christmas isn’t far away.
 
The people of Israel hadn’t heard anything from God about their redeemer. 
God’s chosen people must have cried out to him, asking how long it would be before their hope, their salvation, would arrive! 
It was too dark, and God seemed to be silent. 
 
Has he felt that way to you this year? Silent?
Though he may have felt far away to them, God was so much closer than his people knew —gently planning Jesus’ entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.
 
But at the appointed time, Jesus came — God with us in flesh and blood. Born in Bethlehem, carried to Egypt, raised in Nazareth. Son of Man and Son of God. A humble child and a holy King. Worshiped by some, rejected by many. Fully human, yet eternally divine.”
 
 
What beautiful and raw honesty in those words in that excerpt from the devotional!
 
Friends! Any way you look at it, Emmanuel was a living Divine Grace. 
The infinite King, wrapped in the cloth of an infant. 
The holy One, living among the fallen. 
In Him, the impossible became real, not only in prophecy, but in His very presence. 
 
When God stepped into our world, 
“impossible” lost all meaning.
 
 
In Isaiah 42:16 it says,
“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; 
I will lead them in paths that they have not known: 
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. 
These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” 
 
 
Dear believer! 
The darkness of this world has always tried encroach upon the joy and the hope of God being with his people. 
It hates that we cling to the light, and even though we cannot see or understand, everything fully about the ONE who came and paid the price for us, yet we abandoned our own hearts to him, trusting that he will guide and light our path. It is in this practice that all of hell must bow its knee and tremble for the very fact that Christ is in us and he is the hope of glory. 
Someday we will return to the ONE who created us, but for now, he has come to walk with us, to be with us, and his Holy Spirit is here to correct, to guide, to convict and to advocate for us. 
 
Let us cry out, “Oh Come! Oh Come Emmanuel! Oh come God! Be with us, in us, and move through us to help others who are trapped in the darkness!”
 
Let’s take time to pray together about all of this right now.
Lord God,only you can see into our hearts and knowthat under all the busy-ness of our lives ,there is a deep longingto make this season one that welcomes youmore deeply into our own lives.
 
Our hearts desire the warmth of your loveand our minds search for your Light in the midst of the darkness.
Help us to be peacemakers this season and to give special love to thosewho disagree with us.
Please, Give us the strength and courage to forgive those who have hurt us or who treat us dismissively.
Help us to free our hearts from the prison of anger and hurt.
Only you Lord can bless us,protect us from all evil, and bring us rest in this weary world.
We thank you for being a God that IS  with us!Amen.
 
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed
As long as the complete message, website and podcast
 information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You! Copyright © 2025
 
" THE MESSENGER "  - "The Advocate of Hope"
 Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
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Heaven Is Calling Out To You - Come Into the Glory Prophetic Song of the Lord and Flowing Spontaneous Adoration Response Afterwards.

 
By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit 
 
PLEASE TURN UP VOLUME ON THE PLAYER PROVIDED HERE!
While spending time preparing to share and minister, I was impressed to have the recording equipment running when I went to the keyboard to minister unto the Lord and then to people attending the meeting. As we worshipped and waited upon the LORD In His Presence, this recording was captured unedited and was recorded ‘live”.
It is a timely word to the Body of Christ right now as we are all sensing major events and many changes ahead. There is also a glorious time of adoration and worship right after the prophetic song in response to the LORD’s words sung over His people.
 
The flow and adoration and boiling of Praise and honor was so beautiful and unusual.
I think that you might just want to sit back and use this message and music
as a time to enter into the Glory of His Hand!
 
“HEAVEN IS WAITING TO POUR OUT MY GLORY”
Spontaneous Song of the LORD and Music
by Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit
 
Heaven is calling you child
It’s opening up, the eyes of glory.
Heaven is calling out to all
Who long to hear My voice
 
And I speak a word of truth in an hour
when darkness seems to rule.
Even though the world is lost in pain and grief.
 
Open up your eyes and see My face,
I’m looking for a people of My grace.
 
Heaven is waiting to pour out my glory
As I roll back the veils of ancient time
But first I need to see; your love is just for Me.
And not simply of, the things I do through you.
 
It is a time – To look into the Master’s eyes.
It is a time – To look into the glorious skies of hope
And see…
…See Me.
 
So listen with your spirit man!
LISTEN with your spirit man
And raise up lives, holy to My Cause.
 
It’s not a time for dreams and wishes
No it’s not a time for that.
The time is now for those who will arise!
 
It is the season of MY dreams
It is the season of MY Destiny as King!
 
So look for the Glory, in each salvation story
That’s where I’ll manifest, My Hand.
I’ll manifest across the land
 
Come into the Glory! Come into the Glory!
Come into the Presence of My Hand!
Come into the Glory! Come into the Glory!
Come, into the glory of My Hand!
  
Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided
that complete source, podcast and website information 
for Mary Lindow is included. 
Thank You! 
Copyright © 2019  
"THE MESSENGER " ~Mary Lindow
 www.marylindow.com
www.globalprayerrooms.com