Untitled Sermon

God with us

One of the most basic human need is to know we are not alone. The fear of loneliness crushes us, isolates us keeping us in bondage. To the point we fight against the very thing we need the most is people.

WHAT IS LONELINESS

Have you ever felt lonely in the midst of a crowd... feeling separate from people while in the midst of people! It's as if a great, invisible wall is keeping you isolated... allowing you to observe but not belong. Have you ever felt so alone and burdened by sorrows that it was painful to watch others smile, chat, laugh, and go on with their lives with apparent contentment? In this condition, it can feel like no one else walks in your shoes, understands your pain, or senses your struggles. This is loneliness, the state of sadness that comes from feeling alone, isolated, or "cut off from others." This sense of "disconnection" can be experienced at any time—when you don't have friends and loved ones nearby... or even when you do....

You can understand why God uses the name Emmanuel, He is the very one who comes to us desiring to be with us. God understands your loneliness and He has the answer to your need

Through out the Bible we see God reaching out to us

The New International Version (1984) Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

In ,, This great God is “ever-present” with his people. His presence in protecting the people of God is described as our “refuge,” “strength,” and “fortress.”

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs I. Confession (46:1, 7, 11)

Each one of these metaphors relates to a people in need. Only when they are in distress do they need his special protection (cf. 22:19; 27:9; 40:13; 44:26; 63:7). They always need him, but they experience his presence especially when they go through a period filled with anguish and distress (cf. 23:4). Then he is close to them (v. 1; cf. Deut 4:7).

In ,, This great God is “ever-present” with his people. His presence in protecting the people of God is described by three metaphors and one explanatory clause. The metaphors are “refuge,” “strength,” and “fortress.”

Each one of these metaphors relates to us in need. Only when we are in distress do we need his special protection (cf. 22:19; 27:9; 40:13; 44:26; 63:7). We will always need him, but we will experience his presence especially when we go through a period filled with anguish and distress (cf. 23:4). Then he is close to them (v. 1; cf. ).

I can personally testify to Gods presence through this bout, there has been times I felt alone but as I cried out to God He came protecting me feeling His awesome presence.

What an awesome God who chooses to come to us.

In Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Our personal enemies can seem like giants towering over us taunting us where we forget who our God is.

VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 351). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.