The central theme of the Bible is the relational presence of God. God intends to be with us in real intimacy and vibrant, daily fellowship. This began in the Garden and will be consummated at the end of time with a “new heaven and new earth,” where the Garden will be restored, and those who know Him by faith will live with Him forever. “With you” is the consistent and glorious promise of God to man.
All along the way in human history, God has made ways for us to be with Him, and He with us. He came to the Patriarchs and spoke through the Prophets, calling us back to Himself. The building of a tabernacle, a “tent of meeting,” was a sign that He was present, as was the temple in Jerusalem, filled with the Holy of Holies. Through a great sacrifice, He will be with us.
God showed us His desire to be with us in the greatest possible way. He came to us in the person of His Son. He gave this promise of His coming decades before it happened so people would know He was coming—the Messiah, the Deliverer—and they would be assured that He intended to be with them.
He gave a promise to King Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah when His enemies besieged him.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
The name “Immanuel” has but one meaning: “God with us.” This is God’s great intent. The name God gave His Son indicated the purpose. God desires to be with us and will do whatever is necessary to accomplish this.
He lived with us in the flesh for 33 glorious, flesh-and-blood years. His disciples knew Him personally and their “hearts burned within them” as He spoke. When Jesus was leaving earth through His death, burial, and resurrection, He told His disciples not to be afraid.
“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3)
“Don’t be afraid,” He was saying. “We will be together forever soon. My presence will not leave you.” But there was more. To ensure that they could experience His presence with no interruption, Jesus made one further, glorious promise in the same breath.
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)
Look at these promises of His presence.
“I will come to you” and, “Through My Spirit, I will abide with you and will be in you.”
We think we need this and that when all we really need is God's presence. He is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem. He is the substance that can fill every void and the satisfaction that fulfills every longing. Our greatest problem is our separation from Him because of our sin. The great promise from God is His intention to solve that problem through His Son so He could be with us forever. The promise on His side is described in one word: Immanuel. God with us!
