Daily Devotionals- January Edition by Pastor Ike J. Monye
January 18, 2018.

HE SHALL BE CALLED IMMANUEL.
(THE BOOK OF ISAIAH)

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7:14
Additional Bible Reading:  Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 53:1-12, Proverbs 18.

JESUS CHRIST IS IMMANUEL.

After His resurrection Jesus walked with two of His disciples and "expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). To do so He must have drawn heavily from the Book of Isaiah because seventeen chapters of Isaiah contain prophetic references to Christ.  He is spoken of as the "LORD", "Branch of the LORD", "Wonderful, Counsellor", "Mighty God", "Rod of Jesse", "Prince of Peace", "Cornerstone ", "Elect One", King", "Lamb of God", "Redeemer" and so on.
The Pre-existent Christ is represented in so many ways and in so many verses in Isaiah that it is quite difficult to stay with one name in our study today. However for the purpose of our devotion today, we will briefly look at one of His names - Immanuel.
The scripture prophetically declares that the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and He shall be called Immanuel. The name means "God with us" and this is exactly what has happened with the incarnation of Christ. He has become God with us. Hallelujah!
Our God is no longer far from us. He is with us because He now through His Spirit dwells in us. We do not necessarily need to go to any particular location to access God, because of Jesus; He is now with us daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. He is here with us.
Jesus Christ, as He yielded His Spirit on the cross, the veil of the temple that shielded the Most Holy Place representing the presence of God was torn from top to bottom, indicating that all now have unfettered access to the powerful presence of God.
The writer of Hebrews says that we can now all boldly go into the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Paul writing to the Church in Rome declares "If God be for us, who can be against us"? (Romans 8:31)
If Immanuel be for you, who or what can be against you? I want you to go into your day with this powerful revelation and assurance of His ever abiding presence with you, your family and your loved ones. Beloved, go into 2018 with the confidence and assurance that Immanuel is with you.
Sometimes you may not "feel" Him or "sense" Him but be assured that He is there with you. It is unfortunate that the church is now in a time and generation where people are more conscious of devil and demon than of God. We have become more afraid of what the devil can do rather than what God can do.
Friends, what you value and appreciate, appreciates. As you begin to value and appreciate the presence of Jesus in your life in a vital way, you will begin to experience His power, person and presence in more significant ways.
He is your Immanuel. Go ahead and talk to Him today, acknowledge His ever abiding presence.

Today's Prayer:
Thank you Lord Jesus for being my Immanuel, the God that is with me. Help me to walk in greater consciousness of your presence, power and person in my life. Thank you for your promise of never leaving or forsaking me. Thank you Lord Jesus.