Recently, the great American football announcer and CMN friend James Brown, who is known as “JB,” told me something that surprised me about his friendship with NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White.
Reggie was known as “The Minister of Defense,” for his outstanding play and Christian witness. When Reggie left for heaven, Reggie’s wife Sarah gave JB one of Reggie’s prize classic cars. What this reminds me of, is the intimate relationship that names signify.
We read in Matthew the first chapter that an angel told Joseph to name his son “Jesus,” which means “Deliverer.” Matthew then recalls Isaiah prophesying that Jesus would be known as “Immanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
“The Minister of Defense” and JB knew each other by something more personal than their given names. We have that same privilege. We know Jesus in a functional role is our “Deliverer.” But in a personal way, we are privileged to know him intimately as a friend who is, “God is with us.”
How very close and personal that is. What a spectacular promise for us today. God is with us.
Every day, in every situation we face, in every stress of life, against every obstacle and onslaught of a broken world, He is with us!
He is the God who says to you today:
“I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!” (Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible).
God is with us! Forgiveness is alive, freedom is at hand, hope is fulfilled, peace reigns in our hearts. We are blessed by God’s delivering power, free from the grip of sin. Our lives are filled with joy. Our hearts overflow with thanksgiving for God’s generous gift, our Saviour and Lord, the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
May the Lord cover your life this season with His presence. May you experience His delivering power and personally know Him as “Immanuel,” GOD IS WITH US!
His name is “Deliverer” ... and he’s your friend – the God who is with you.
In His grace, peace, and love,
Merry Christmas,
Your brother, friend, and ally,
Christmas begins with this
