In the first of our December Nights series of Precious Promises, we examine the first of four primary prophecies in the Old Testament, the Immanuel prophecy in Isaiah 7. Despite feeling unworthy, Isaiah had accepted a call to be sent by God, and his first recorded assignment was to speak with King Ahaz, a ruler of Judah who did not follow the Lord and was not trusting God during a time of international crisis.

Both then in Judah and later when this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, this proclamation was a promise in the midst of fear, a miracle in the midst of trouble, and a name in the midst of loneliness. In Christ, God is both with us and for us, offering us not just His companionship but His cross, and this grace requires a response, even when we feel unworthy like Isaiah.