God With Us! — Abide In Him

for December 15-16, 2025

As we meditate on Jesus’ first coming in this Advent season, we are focusing on Matthew 1:23,

“‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel’

(which means, God with us).”

God, who does according to His will, chose to make a way for us to be with Him, and He with with us. God is holy, so how can He be with sinful man? We see His heart in a moving moment in history. In Exodus 25:8 God said,

“And let them make me a sanctuary,

“that I may dwell in their midst.

That verse never ceases to move me. When we were not even looking for Him, He was looking for us. The sanctuary or tabernacle pointed to Jesus. The temporary structure, sacrifices, and ordinances cleansed for a time. But Jesus would be the sacrifice and Great High Priest that would cleanse for all eternity. It’s why He said in Matthew 12:6,

“I tell you,

something greater than the temple is here.”

…that He may dwell with us.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:13

Immanuel, thank You for coming and making a way to dwell with us!