Friend, today there’s a wonderful promise from Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” The Lord promises that He is with you today. Are you feeling sad and lost? Do you feel depressed for no reason? Sometimes we think about so many things that we feel so lost and disconnected from God. But does that mean that Jesus is not with you? Does that mean God doesn’t care for you? No, the Lord says that He is with you. His very name says it — Immanuel, God with us.

There’s a story that many of you will know, the story of ‘Footprints in the Sand’. A man had a dream about footprints in the sand. Everywhere he looked, there were two sets of footprints, a big one and a small one. But in the places where he had the most trouble, there was only one set of footprints. When he was lost, sad, and discouraged, there was only one set of footprints in the sand. The man was upset, just like many of us are at times. He said, “Lord, during the times when I was lost and sad, You were nowhere near me. There’s only one set of footprints!”

And God replied, “My dear son, those footprints are Mine. When you were lost, sad, and depressed, I carried you in My arms. That’s why you see only one set of footprints.” Yes, my dear friend, that’s what the Lord says to you today, that He is carrying you. Even if you feel depressed, lost, or far away from Jesus, don’t run away from Him. Run towards Him, and the Lord will remind you how much He loves you. Today, ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit and strengthen you with His comforting presence.

PRAYER: 
Dear Lord, thank You for the promise that You are always with me. Even when I feel lonely or lost, You never leave my side. You are ‘Immanuel’, my God who walks with me. When I cannot see You, help me to trust that You are carrying me. Fill my heart with Your peace when my mind is heavy with worry. Lift me up when I feel weak and let Your comforting presence surround me every moment of the day. Please guide me to run towards You and not away from You. Thank You, Lord, for holding me close in Your arms. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.