God made a promise long before Bethlehem, and He keeps every word He speaks.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)
What does “Promise” mean in Isaiah 7:14?
Immanuel is a Hebrew name that means God with us. It was given as a sign, a promise that God would not leave His people alone.
Going deeper
Isaiah spoke these words to King Ahaz, a frightened ruler surrounded by enemies who refused to ask God for help. God offered him a sign anyway. The promise reached far beyond that moment, and Matthew later points to it when he tells the story of the birth of Jesus. More than seven centuries passed between the promise and its fulfillment, and God never forgot it. He does not forget what He has said.
That gap is worth noticing. Promises in Scripture sometimes take a long time, and it can seem as if God has been silent. Advent teaches us otherwise. The long wait was not neglect. It was the time God took to prepare the way. When you are waiting for a promise from Him, remember that the story of Immanuel began long before anyone could see how it would end. He is patient, He is faithful, and He is with us while we wait.
Reflect
Which promise of God are you finding it hardest to believe, and what would it look like to trust Him with it?
Pray
Faithful God, thank You for promises kept across the centuries. Help me to trust the ones You have made to me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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