Dear friend,
Every time I read one particular little phrase in the Bible, I feel hope and anticipation that something good is coming. The phrase is, “the Lord was with….”
Here are a few examples.
“...the Lord was with Joseph…” (Genesis 39:2).
As Israel’s armed men crossed the Jordan “the Lord was with them as they crossed over” (Joshua 4:13).
“The Lord was with the people of Judah” (Judges 1:19).
“As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him” (1 Samuel 3:19). The fact that the Lord was with someone in the sense of a special favour-showing way brought about good things.
But something very good and even more wonderful was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, “…the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Matthew picks this up when he recounts Jesus’ virgin birth and applies it to Him (Matthew 1:23).
The amazing truth is that in Jesus God became flesh like us and came to be with us in person. Then He died for our sins and was raised from the dead to bring salvation and continue to be present with us.
When the time came for Jesus to ascend back to the Father, He gave us the assurance of His continued presence through His indwelling Spirit. “…I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit...” (John 14:16–17).
Because God’s Word is true, and because our salvation is guaranteed, we have the certainty of God’s presence—Immanuel, God is with us.
As we live our lives, Jesus is always with us. We may walk though dark valleys of loss, sickness, and even death. Yet this is our certainty, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4). Regardless of what we face He says “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5). In times of adversity, He “is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV).
The fact that Jesus was born and now God is always with us is at the core of what we celebrate at Christmas. Yet many in Canada miss this completely. With your continued generous support, Insight for Living Canada will continue sharing this truth across our needy country.
We work not only for our personal lives, but to fulfil His commission taking God’s Word across Canada and into the world. He says, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). What encouraging words as we spread the Gospel!
Our mission is to share with believers and non-believers alike the great truth that the Lord took on human flesh to bring us to God. They need to hear and believe that God’s Word is true, that they can have assurance of salvation, and that Jesus is with us always.
I know this resonates with you and that is why I ask to you join with us financially to see lives changed through the truth of God’s Word.
As we close out this year will you give generously to Insight for Living Canada so that others can hear and experience God’s presence always?
Rejoicing in Christ,
Steve Johnson
Executive Director
PS Our year-end fundraising goal is $420,000. Give your gift today so together we can share the certainty that God is with us.
