In us, with us, for us

My third blessing of the season for you is short and simple. It was inspired by God is with Us, a song by Casting Crowns. It’s not a new song. In fact, it appears on their Peace on Earth album, recorded in 2008.

I am often captivated by lyrics – maybe just one line or phrase. And, at this time of year, it takes only the instrumental introduction of some tunes and I am reduced to tears… tears of wonder or happiness or grief.

This year, it was these words, written by Wayne Kirkpatrick:

Love is raining down on the world tonight.
There’s a presence here I can tell…

God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel.

He’s the Savior we have been praying for
In our humble hearts He will dwell…

God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel.

Good golly, Miss Molly. Emmanuel, the name of Jesus that means “God with us.” It brings a comfort that lasts for more than the length of the song or the season. It brings peace throughout the year.

And, as a Follower, a person who knows and believes with my heart soul mind and strength in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, God as man here on Earth, I know that God is in us. It’s the beginning of the story that is completed at Easter.

But that middle part – God is for us – ahhhh. Yes, those words. Words so easily overlooked, carefully tucked into these beautiful lyrics.

Yes, my lovelies. God isn’t just here, just with us. He doesn’t just abide. He cheers us on. He loves us fiercely and wants nothing more than to see us succeed – succeed in Him. He wants us to reflect His love and forgiveness to everybody. And he gives us the strength, ability, opportunity and desire to do it – all the time. For everyone we meet.

He is for us – not to fulfill our every desire or achieve new levels of accomplishment as measured by the world. No, He is for our spirits of love and acceptance. For our spirits that were made in His image.

He is for us. For you. No matter who you are, He came to be with you, and in you, and for you…

My third blessing of the season:

…Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.                       Romans 8:38-39

God is for us and nothing can change that. Merry Christmas, my friends.

Emmanuel, God with us – and for us. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Click to Tweet