“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“Mom, I’m falling!”
I was on a hike with my young kids. As we made our way down the hill, my son’s arms flailed wildly as his feet slid down the leafy dirt path. I reached for his hand, and with my help, he immediately found his footing. Hand in hand, we continued on our journey until we made our way safely home.
Throughout different seasons of my life, I’ve also found myself crying out to God, Help — I’m falling!
Nothing major or traumatic needs to have happened. It could be that I feel emotionally unsteady, physically exhausted, or overwhelmed by life … wandering and unsure if I have the strength to keep going.
Then I feel God’s steadying hand reach for mine, and I remember what His Word assures in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We can praise God that He has kept this promise to strengthen, comfort, and never let go of His people.
How do we know? He sent Jesus to be Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus reveals to us the very heart of God — because He is God. And as Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV).
The Son of God knows every thought in the mind of every human. But in that moment, He didn’t respond with judgment or condemnation of the crowd’s lusts or jealousies or anger or sin; He had compassion. He saw their harassment and helplessness and knew they could not save themselves.
Because of Jesus’ compassion toward us, He came to earth as a baby to live a sinless life; to die on the cross, bearing our sin, shame, and powerlessness; and to be raised to life again so that whoever believes in and receives Him will never again have to live life harassed and helpless on their own. We not only have God’s steadying hand that will hold us — we now have God’s steadying Spirit who will live within us, if only we turn our hearts to Him (Ephesians 1:13-14).
As we celebrate this Christmas, may we remember that Jesus is God with us in our mess. He is God with us in our pain. He is God with us in the deepest dark valley. He is God with us in our exhaustion. He is God with us in our waiting and wandering.
Jesus is Immanuel. He is with us all the days of our lives — and all eternity.
Lord, when we feel unsteady, remind us that Jesus is God with us and that the Holy Spirit is God within us. Lead us to turn our hearts to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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You Are My Miracle is a tender board book by Alice Matagora that celebrates the gift of every child — whether welcomed through birth, adoption, or after seasons of waiting. With gentle rhymes and heartfelt illustrations, this story reminds little ones they are an answer to prayer, created with purpose, and deeply loved by God.
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Psalm 16:5-8, “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (NIV).
Where in your life do you most need the steadying Spirit of God? What keeps you from turning to Him?
What scriptures or experiences of God’s faithfulness remind you that Jesus is Immanuel, God with you? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
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