Immanuel – God With Us

Immanuel (God with Us) came to equip us with confidence to face any challenge life presents. Isaiah 43:2-3 says ” When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”

This line is the opening Wendy Blight gave us before asking the question how Immanuel equipped me for challenges in my life. I have been pondering this for a week now. Her new book, I know His name, walks one through several of the terms the bible gives us for God, His names, each highlights a different part of His beautiful character. One chapter in, I can’t believe the perspective shift I’ve had studying His name Elohim. The creator of all thing created me, imperfect me! Me with CRPS, me with my attention to detail, me with my sass, me with my gift of giving, all of me. The God who hung the stars and made the oceans put together me, my mix of character, strengths and weaknesses for a purpose. CRPS is a struggle and limitation some days but I have a renewed sense now that I have it for a reason and more than that Immanuel is with me to cope with it.

In the severe depression of the year before last my fear was being alone, I couldn’t be left alone. In that life challenge, God was never closer. Every prayer (some were sobs, thank goodness the Holy Spirit intercedes) was answered. Relief was given when I couldn’t go on, friends came when we were worn out and I found Proverbs 31 Ministries, an awesome online ministry. They were amazing in my time of trouble and from the whole awful experience of drug withdrawal, such good has grown. I now volunteer with them and my relationship with God has grown. Yet every time I spend time in the Word, studying God I learn to love Him more. Wendy’s new book is just a great way to do that! I can’t wait to dig into Chapter 2!