“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
(Isaiah 7:14 English Standard Version)
Our Hope is named Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Permanently and always. Jesus said, “No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you.” (John 14:18 Living Bible) No matter how it seems, we are not alone. Not anymore. Not ever.
And the promise continues:
A child will be born to us.
A son will be given to us.
He will rule over us.
And he will be called
Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God.
He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever
and Prince Who Brings Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 New International Reader’s Version
And more than Who He will be, what He will do:
There will be no limit to how great his authority is.
The peace he brings will never end.
He will rule on David’s throne
and over his kingdom.
He will make the kingdom strong and secure.
His rule will be based on what is fair and right.
It will last forever.
The Lord’s great love will make sure that happens.
He rules over all.
Isaiah 9:7 New International Reader’s Version
Will, and will, and will. No maybes, no doubts. Promises made to us are kept by the only One Who has the power to keep them.
Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework,
in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us,
or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph,
and Second Advent splendor.
Charles Spurgeon
“And his name shall be the hope of all the world.”
Matthew 12:21 Living Bible
So, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” (Hebrews 10:23 New Living Translation)