With us

These last few days Luna, when the front door is opened, likes to run out and greet whomever is on the other side of that door. Now, for us, there’s a bit of trauma associated with her dashing out. In the very recent past, she has ran looping houses as fast as she could. All we could do is stand and watch and sorta beg her to come back. These last few days, however, she runs out to go right to the person to greet. This is good progress, not great, because I don’t want her running out! I wonder if she understands that she no longer needs to run away because her home is right here with us.

Update (as I write these posts over days). Luna dashed outside and ran the neighborhood. Sigh.

In my previous post, I wrote on Psalm 73, God’s presence is our good. His nearness is our refuge. As I continued to process this truth, Jesus’ name Immanuel came to mind.

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭HCSB

As I was reading the verses around 7:14, I realized this is a much more complicated passage about Ahaz and his child, but Matthew quotes this passage. And that’s my focus today.

“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭HCSB

‬‬Jesus was the plan all along.

To the dear people in our lives that have dashed out, run far from God, we have this truth to rest upon. God came near. God came to us. I love this picture Jesus gives us in Revelation.

“Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

He is right here. May our loved ones stand still and hear the knock on the door. May they see that Jesus has never moved. They may have, but Jesus has not moved.

And to you, Jesus hasn’t moved. Don’t listen to the lies that say, God could never…or again? That sin… God is with us. Don’t forget the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Sometimes we have to get to the end of ourselves and realize that we could be dining with the King rather than eating the pig slop.

Another story that rings in my mind is the woman who had a bleeding issue for 12 years. 12. I’ve had migraines since I was a kid, the thought of seeing Jesus, touch the fringe on his coat, no words. The woman spent all she had on doctors and other things and then she saw Jesus.

“So Jesus and His disciples got up and followed him. Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years approached from behind and touched the tassel on His robe, for she said to herself, “If I can just touch His robe, I’ll be made well! ” But Jesus turned and saw her. “Have courage, daughter,” He said. “Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

You know what’s better about now? His presence never leaves us. He doesn’t just interact with us and walk on. Now, I’m not saying Jesus was callous in his interaction with this woman. I’m saying that Jesus had to walk on. Her life changed radically because of faith and presence. Friends, we have the same gift. His presence is always our answer.

Pray with me for dear ones in our lives that need to hear truth and respond with their proximity.