My Spirit Abides in Your Midst; Don't Fear by Gary Steffes

December 26th, 2024
by Gary Steffes

“Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him [Joseph] in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name "Immanuel" (which means, God with us).”
– Matthew 1:20-23

Just over 2,000 years ago, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, took on human flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3, 14). He came to save us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father. Therefore, His name is Immanuel, which means, God with us.

This Christmas, I am overwhelmed with joy at this truth. All throughout the Bible, we see the enormous blessing of God being with us.

God was with Joseph when his brothers betrayed him and he was cast into prison. God never left him and instead caused him to prosper, eventually raising him up to second in command in Egypt. (Genesis 39:21)
God was with Moses when Israel stood at the Red Sea. The Egyptians were on their heels. Slavery was imminent yet again. In that moment, God directed Moses forward and miraculously split the Sea delivering Israel on dry ground. (Exodus 14:3)
God was with Joshua and the people of Israel when they entered the promise land. Though the inhabitants were fortified and strong, God brought down their fortresses and fulfilled His promises, (Joshua 1:9)
God was with Hezekiah when 185,000+ Assyrians came to destroy him. He sent an angel to deliver Israel in one night. (2 Kings 19:35)

The list could continue for days. God was with Elijah on Mount Carmel, David when he faced Goliath, Samuel when he judged Israel, Nehemiah when he rebuilt the wall, Esther when she approached the King, Zerubbabel when he rebuilt the temple after the exile, Paul when he traveled the Mediterranean rim, and He is still with us today.

In the last few months, I have felt stretched and overwhelmed in many ways. I have not felt strong and courageous like so many of the men listed above. Honestly, I have felt exhausted and scared at times. Yet, God has mercifully met me in this time to strengthen me. One day, I attended church and felt one of the greatest blessings from God in a time of need. As I prayed through my anxious thoughts, the Spirit of God whispered to my soul, “My Spirit abides in your midst, Gary. Don’t fear!” (Haggai 2:5). I felt this peace fill my soul and joy start to take over the anxiety. Thankfulness welled up in me. I wasn’t alone.

I walked out of church that day with renewed strength. I experienced God’s promise, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

I am eternally thankful for the truth that God is with us. Because Jesus came, I have the privilege of being reconciled to God. Because Jesus came, I am not alone in life, nor will I ever be (Heb. 13:5-6). Because of Immanuel, God with us, I have courage to attack any mountain and strength to overcome any challenge.

My life is transformed because God is with me. Now, I yearn to live every moment of my life moving forward with Him, aligned with Him, on mission with Him, and intimately connected with Him.

I believe we all can be encouraged this Christmas by this truth that God is with us. Whatever challenge you are facing right now, whatever anxious thought, whatever fear you're wrestling to overcome, be encouraged - God is with us! “My Spirit abides in your midst, Don’t fear!” (Haggai 2:5)