December 19 | Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Only God can call His next play and be right every time. Seven hundred years before Jesus God told Israel of its Hope. We find through other prophecies that Jesus didn’t just come for the Jewish nation. He came for you.

King Ahaz refused to trust in the Lord. God sent Isaiah to test his doubt. He trusted more in Egypt to save his nation from the northern alliance coming for Judah. Instead, Isaiah prophesied that these nations to the north would not exist. Judah worried for nothing.

Signs prove the prophecies are true. For King Ahaz the sign was a young woman bearing a son. We don’t know who this young woman was. But we know 700 years later that young woman was Mary. Matthew takes “virgin” literally and attaches this sign to the birth of Jesus.

Prophecy had its ultimate fulfillment in a literal meaning. The birth of this son to a young woman, probably a personal sign for King Ahaz confirmed the prophecy of the northern nations being destroyed. They would call him Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”

He would know that God answered his prayer for help even if he didn’t ask God to do it. God was with Judah and saved them from destruction. But in the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy Jesus literally is God with us.

He is both divine and human. He came down to be among us, to show us God’s true nature, His love and compassion. And this Christmas season He is here just for you.

Action Step: Trust the Lord that he sees and hears your prayers. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. He will do a miracle for you.

Jesus, thank You that you see me and know my plight. I know you will answer my prayers. I trust in Your timing and Your plan. Lead me, and I will follow You.