Because of Immanuel, we are keeping on

The Welsh minister David Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “There is nothing which so certifies the genuineness of a man's faith as his patience and his patient endurance, his keeping on steadily in spite of everything.” This is such a great quote for us in 2020. We keep on in spite of the wildness of this year. We keep on support raising and prepping in spite of what is happening. Many others keep on job searching in spite of current circumstances. Most of us continue witnessing to friends and family who need Jesus in spite of everything. But we’re not alone in doing this, God is there every step of the way. This leads us to one of our favorite names of Jesus: Immanuel (God with us). We need reminding of this. You’ve lost a job, God is with you. You have a loved one in the hospital; God is with you. You’re on vacation; God is with you. Someone cuts you off in traffic; God is with you. You finally got that new house; God is with you. This idea of Immanuel should both comfort and convict us. The fact he is always with us is a reminder to represent him well, especially in this season of “us vs them” within our impending election a few weeks away. As believers we need to walk in a manner that is worthy to the Lord (Colossians 1:10) and have our speech be grace filled (Colossians 4:6) no matter if someone is opposite or aligned with our own views. God is with us because we are in the business of God’s kingdom and not a temporary earthly one! Be encouraged that we have Immanuel and be convicted to speak with love and mercy.