OPENING SCRIPTURE:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him IMMANUEL. (Isaiah 7:14 NIV)

• Immanuel is a Hebrew word that’s made up of 2 parts: “immanu” meaning “with us” and “el” meaning “God”. Immanuel: God with us.
• The context of this scripture is out of a period of wilderness for the children of Israel.
• We can read that same scripture in Matthew 1:23. Another period of wilderness for Israel being under Roman occupation for many years.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the WILDERNESS, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD, make straight paths for him.’” (Matthew 3:1-3 NIV)

• John The Baptist was preaching the good news, Immanuel, God is with us, from a place of wilderness – Roman occupation and children of God being far from God.

God does His greatest work in us through those wilderness seasons of our lives.
Remember Immanuel, God with us, in the high seasons of life but also remember Immanuel, God with us, in the wilderness seasons of life.

3 key truths about God’s presence in the wilderness seasons of our lives.

#1 EMBRACE IMMANUEL’S PURPOSE IN THE WILDERNESS

• The wilderness is often a place of preparation and transformation.
• God will use our wilderness seasons to prepare us to transform us.
• Moses for example, God uses a wilderness season of his life to speak to him through a burning bush
• God’s preparation and humility always go hand in hand.

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV)

• God still used this wilderness season to prepare them.

God will use seasons like this to refine our faith, build our character, and prepare us for His purpose.

• Ask God to reveal what He is teaching you in this season.

#2 TRUST IMMANUEL’S PROVISION IN THE WILDERNESS

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16: 2, 3 NIV)

• But God showed Himself to be Immanuel in the wilderness. He provided for them.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” (Exodus 16: 4 NIV)

God will always meet our needs even in barren season – spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Reflect on past “manna moments” in your life where God provided for you unexpectedly.

#3 REST IN IMMANUEL’S PRESENCE IN THE WILDERNESS

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Immanuel); your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

• Even in the wilderness, David experienced the presence of Immanuel, God with us.
Low moments in life don’t exclude the presence of God.
• The wilderness can feel isolating, but we are never alone.

Cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s presence through prayer and worship during hard times. Take time to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10)

In every wilderness season, our Immanuel, God with us is always constant, always present.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?