December 19 | Isaiah 7:14

 “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son, and you will call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

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 Jesus didn’t just come for the Jewish nation. He came for you.

King Ahaz trusted more in Egypt to save His nation from the northern alliance coming for Judah. Instead, Isaiah prophesied these northern nations would not exist. Judah worried for nothing. Signs prove prophecies are true. For King Ahaz the sign was a young woman bearing a son. We don’t know who she was. But 700 years later that young woman was Mary. Matthew takes “virgin” literally and attaches this sign to Jesus’s birth.

Prophecy had its ultimate fulfillment in a literal meaning. The birth of this son to a young woman, a personal sign for King Ahaz, confirmed the prophecy of the destruction of the northern nations. 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. 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. You will answer my prayers. I trust in Your timing and plan. Lead me, and I will follow.