Title: Emmanuel
Memorize: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Exodus 33:12-17 (Nkjv)
[12] Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’
[13] Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”
[14] And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
[15] Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
[16] For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”
[17] So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”
Message:
The name Emmanuel means ‘God with us’, and it connotes God’s presence with someone or a group of people.
During my early days as a believer, I understood the immense benefits of constantly being in the presence of the Lord or having God’s presence go with me everywhere I go.
Moses revealed in today’s Bible reading that God’s presence is vital for the fulfilment of one’s divine destiny.
When God told him to lead the Israelites out of the wilderness, he insisted that if God Himself would not go with them, he would not begin the journey.
My dear child, having God’s presence with you will protect you from danger and other evils; it is a comprehensive insurance against the enemy’s attacks.\
Also, His presence will bring His glory to you and make you stand out from among the crowd.
Note, however, that when God’s presence is with a fellow, it implies that His eyes are always on him or her.
Therefore, you must be careful not to commit sin because God is always with you.
Key Point:
Carrying God’s presence is very important for every believer.
HYMN 60: MOST ANCIENT OF ALL MYSTERIES
1 Most ancient of all mysteries,
Before Thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.
2 When heav’n and earth were yet unmade,
When time was yet unknown,
Thou in Thy bliss and majesty
Didst live and love alone.
3 Thou wert not born; there was no fount
From which Thy Being flowed;
There is no end which Thou canst reach;
But Thou art simply God.
4 How wonderful creation is,
The work which Thou didst bless,
And O what then must Thou be like,
Eternal loveliness!
5 O listen then, most pitiful,
To Thy poor creature’s heart:
It blesses Thee that Thou art God,
That Thou art what Thou art.
6 Most ancient of all mysteries,
Still at thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.
Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 7:1-9:11, Hebrews 5:1-14
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye