Today's Verse: Matthew 1:22-23

Thursday, December 3, 2009

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" — which means, "God with us."
— Matthew 1:22-23
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God had repeatedly promised his people his presence. During the Wilderness wanderings, he was with them with the cloud during the day, the pillar of fire at night, and in the Holy of Holies above the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Men, women, and angels (1 Peter 1:10-12) had long anticipated our receiving God's presence close to us. Then, with Jesus' incarnation, his coming in human flesh, it happened. God came to us in his Son. Jesus is Immanuel - Immanu-El, God with us! We live on the visited planet, touched by the very presence of God the Creator among us, as one of us, who lived, died, and was raised from the dead for us (See John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; and Colossians 1:15-23 for the declaration of these truths). And it was just as the prophets of old had said.

My Prayer...

Lord God, my heavenly Father, thank you for keeping your promises, especially when it was so incredibly costly for you to do so in Jesus. You came to us in Jesus, the Son, to reveal yourself to us and show us how to live. I want to know you better, O God, not just as someone I study in Scripture, but as someone I encounter in my daily life. Please make your presence known as I seek you and use the Holy Spirit to transform me and mold me into someone who is truly JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29)! In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, our Immanuel, we pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

56 Related Resources by Heartlight

God With Us.
Illustration of Matthew 1:22-23
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 1:22-23 -- All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, God with us.
God's Promise Comes True
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[The angel's assurance to Joseph that he should marry Mary] occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will..."
Merry Christmas!
Article by Phil Ware
Our prayer is that the Lord Jesus and his abiding presence can be real to you during this special season of grace and joy. Phil Ware shares a Merry Christmas greeting from all of the Heartlight.org and VerseoftheDay.com family.
O Come, Please Come, Immanuel
Article by Phil Ware
So how can I read the gospels as more than just daily Bible reading I check off my to-do list? Phil Ware begins a series of articles on the Immanuel Sayings in Matthew and this is done in coordination with Interim Ministry Partners and focuses on experiencing Jesus, or Immanuel.
See All 56 Related Resources about Matthew 1:22-23

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 1:22-23 — All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" — which means, "God with us."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Guidance for Seeking Hearts'
"Dear Follower, I promised My followers that the Holy Spirit would guide them in their witness to the nations (Acts 1:8). Today, I want to talk to you..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Gate for the Sheep' (Jn. 10:7-8)
"[Jesus explained his statements about the gate and the sheep:] "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Exodus 20:25
"God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:1-2
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse