March 4, 2024

March 4:  Joy to the World.

Immanuel, "God With Us."
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord."--Zechariah 2:10, ESV

GOD COMMANDED MOSES for Israel, "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8), and He abode in the sanctuary, in the midst of His people.  Through all their weary wandering in the desert, the symbol of His presence was with them.  So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment.  He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar with His divine character and life.  "The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth."  John 1:14, R.V., margin.

Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs.  Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners.  For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour's life on earth, we see "God with us."--The Desire of Ages, 23, 24.

        Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
      prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
                  "Beloved, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them,
             and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.
             And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,
                                nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain,
                                         for the former things have passed away."
                              
                                                         --Revelation 21:2-4, NKJV