Christmas Prophecy: Hope in the Promise of "God with Us" (Isaiah 7)
God with us
Hope is one of the most powerful emotions we experience as human beings. It's the confident expectation that something good will happen. But we’ve all met people who seem to have lost hope—whether through illness, financial collapse, or personal loss, sometimes life’s hardships can drain a person’s optimism. Yet, as we’ll see today, hope is not meant to be grounded in ourselves, our abilities, or our circumstances. Rather, true hope comes from one source: God with us.
Today’s message comes from Isaiah 7, and as we dive into this powerful prophecy, we’ll see how God sent a message of hope to His people in the midst of their darkest moments. Let’s examine how this promise, fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ, gives us hope for today.
Hope in an Individual
In Isaiah 7, the situation for Judah seemed dire. The northern tribes of Israel had formed an alliance with Syria to resist the powerful Assyrian empire. These nations wanted Judah to join them in battle, but King Ahaz of Judah refused. Judah was a small nation, vulnerable to attack, and it seemed like the coalition was preparing to invade, overthrow Ahaz, and install a puppet king.
Yet, Ahaz wasn’t concerned. Why? Because his hope rested in two things: his lineage as a descendant of King David and his own wisdom.
Ahaz believed that since he sat on David’s throne, there was no way his reign could end. After all, God had promised David in 2 Samuel 7 that his descendants would continue to rule forever. Ahaz placed his hope in this individualistic promise—that a mighty warrior would arise to defend Judah, just as David had done in the past.
Hope in Wisdom
When God offered Ahaz a sign, an opportunity to ask for a miracle to confirm God’s promise, Ahaz refused. This wasn’t out of obedience or humility, but rather because he believed he didn’t need God. Ahaz was self-reliant, trusting in his own wisdom and abilities.
Yet, despite Ahaz’s rejection, God still gave a sign. Isaiah prophesied that a young woman would give birth to a child, and this child’s name would be Immanuel, meaning "God with us." This prophecy was a glimmer of hope for Judah—the line of David would not be wiped out. God was still with His people, even when they rejected Him.
Hope for the World
Hundreds of years later, God’s promise through Isaiah was fulfilled in the most incredible way: Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, was truly "God with us." In Matthew 1:18-25, we read about Joseph’s dream where the angel told him that Mary’s child would be the Savior of the world. Quoting directly from Isaiah 7:14, the angel declared that Jesus would be Immanuel—God dwelling among us.
This event not only fulfilled prophecy but offered true hope to the world. Jesus wasn’t just a mighty warrior like David, nor was He just a wise king. He was God Himself, come to earth to save His people from their sins.
Misplaced Hope
Yet, just as Ahaz and Judah misplaced their hope in earthly things, so did the people of Jesus’ time. When King Herod heard about Jesus’ birth, he pretended to worship Him, but secretly sought to kill Him. The Pharisees and religious leaders, who should have recognized the Messiah, instead plotted to have Him crucified. Why? Because their hope was in their religion, their own system of righteousness and power.
How often do we do the same? We place our hope in people, in wisdom, or in our own self-righteousness. We look to doctors, politicians, or theologians to solve our problems, forgetting that true hope comes from God with us.
Just like Ahaz trusted in his own abilities rather than God’s promise, we can fall into the trap of self-reliance. Even in religious contexts, we may think our good works or faithful service will earn us favor with God. But Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us that our only hope is in Jesus, the God who came to dwell among us.
Real Hope: Immanuel
What does this mean for us today? Immanuel, God with us, offers hope in every situation. Whether we face personal trials, health challenges, or societal pressures, we know that God has not abandoned us. He is present, active, and sovereign over all.
In Colossians 3:1-4, we are called to set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Our hope is not in the things of this world, but in the promise that Jesus, who is with us now, will one day return in glory.
So, as we celebrate Christmas this year, let’s place our hope in the only One who can truly save us. Let’s remember that God with us means we are never alone. Our hope is secure in Jesus, the Son of God who walked among us and gave His life for us.
If you want to learn more about Jesus the Messiah, Shepherd Thoughts exists to help you live out your faith. If you or a friend needs support or resources to love God and love others more, please reach out to us today. We’d love to help.
