Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
It has often been said of our culture that we seek instant gratification. If you are unsure if that applies to you, examine your response the next time you get stuck in a long line at your favorite fast food restaurant. Like many, I am just as guilty as the next person to get upset when the line takes longer than I think it should take.
While we often seek instant gratification in life, there are also times when we seek instant gratification with God. We expect that promises we read in the Bible will be fulfilled instantly. Sometimes, though, promises are made that take years or even lifetimes to be fulfilled.
That is what we see with this prophecy in Isaiah 7. If waiting an extra 10 minutes to get food seems like a long time, imagine waiting 700 years for Immanuel, God with us. The people of Israel waited 700 years to see this prophecy fulfilled and even when Immanuel did come, some did not believe.
I do not want to be one of those that does not believe. God had a plan for everything that has happened this year and he has a plan for what will continue to happen. Right now it may seem like things will never change, but I believe they will. It may not come in the manner we think or as soon as we would hope. I imagine that many did not expect Immanuel to come as a little baby.
I doubt that they were expecting to wait 700 years, but Immanuel still came. Jesus is still Immanuel, today. He is still God with us. We can look forward to everything else God has in store because of these truths.
Drew Drage, Pastor