The Advent season puts a laser-sharp focus on the themes of peace, hope, love, and joy. Those themes are solid biblical principles that provide anchors for our faith. Yet, all of those themes are dependent upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In many ways, Jesus does not simply give peace, hope, love, and joy—He is all of those. Our hearts break over the tragedy that has taken place from the storms of the early morning hour. Many of our state conventions partners and Southern Baptist ministries are on the front lines providing immediate response to their harvest fields.
When storms arise and cause damage, devastation, and death, one may ask, where is God? Where is the sovereign, supreme savior of the Universe? The advent season reminds us that God is with us. The Gospel writer Matthew pens these familiar words. Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is interpreted as God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
Christmas is the time when believers rejoice that the season of waiting is over and the promised Messiah has now appeared. The name of that promised child is Immanuel which means God is with us! That is the reason for our rejoicing: God is with us with power and grace, and glory. Christians do not rejoice because Santa Claus has come to town. Our message is Immanuel; God is with us. For believes our belief in a God who is present is not locked into one month or one day. Our strong commitment to Faith is God is active during the bright seasons of life and put on display during the storms of life. During the storms of life our Faith sustains us.
During this Advent season, we affirm that Emmanuel is really with us.
He’s with us in the highs and the lows.
He’s with us on the mountain peaks and in the valleys.
He’s with us on our best days and our worse days.
He’s with us in health and sickness.
He’s with us on the sunny days and the stormy nights.
Jesus and His disciples were on the sea of Galilee when an unexpected storm arose. Jesus was asleep on the boat. The disciples, trained fishers, were afraid and began to doubt Jesus. The disciples proclaimed death when Jesus had already promised life. Finally, the disciples awake Jesus, and Jesus says to the storm, “Peace be still.” The disciple had nothing to worry about because Jesus was with them. Jesus is with our Great Commission Baptist network of churches as we serve and minister to those in need. As we minister to those in need never forget that every day across the world there are persons who endure their own internal storm. They are far from God and they desperately need to hear the Gospel. May God provide opportunities for the seed of the Gospel to be planted so that all may know Him
During this challenging part of the journey, God is with us.
God is with those who have lost loved ones.
God is with those who are displaced.
God is with those who are discouraged.
God is with those who are responding to the aftermath of the storm.
God is with those who are providing relief.
God is with those who are supplying Hope in Jesus.
During this challenging part of the journey, we should focus on the blessed assurance that we are not alone in life’s struggles. God is with us.
