God is With Us!

Many years ago, a submarine, under the water just deep enough that a big ship didn’t see it, hit the submarine and it sank to the bottom of the ocean. Because of the collision the submarine was left with no electricity or anyway to let anyone above the surface know what had just happened. Within hours the Navy knew that there was problem and began it’s search for the submarine. When found they immediately sent divers down the evaluate the wrecked submarine. The sailors inside the submarine knew that their lives were very much danger as their oxygen supply was being depleted very quickly. They did all they could to preserve what oxygen they had but they could tell that they were getting closer and closer to running out and within a few minutes they all would die. When suddenly the divers made their way to the sub and began taping on the side of the submarine to see if anyone was still alive. As they taped and then listened a message was sent to them, and it was simply and short but straight to the point: “Is there any hope at all?” All that they wanted to know, all that they needed to know, was there any hope at all that they’d be rescued. The world today is filled with so much hopelessness and we are in the season for believers that we are celebrating the greatest birth and happening the world has ever known. The birth of hope, the birth of the Savior and Messiah Jesus Christ. Joseph was told that his son born to Mary would be called Jesus, which means “the Lord saves.” And he would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” There is hope in this world and we have the hope living within us. Your valleys are here to be used as a time of preparation so that you can live out the name of Jesus, Immanuel – God with us! Pray that today you can bring hope to their world, whether today, you are living on the mountain top or deep into the valley of despair. God is with us!