She will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23 NKJV.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18.

There is a difference in living a life for yourself only and in living your life trusting Creator God – Father…Son…Spirit. I can’t imagine trying to make sense of this world we live in without God helping me. Isaiah 57 contrasts those who live by faith in God and those who choose to place their faith in idols. Unfaithfulness. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead! You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, “It is hopeless.” You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint…I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain. v. 8-10, 12-13. And yet, when we cry out to God and turn to Him for help and turn away from our sins, Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of My people. For this is what the high and exalted One says – He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of Me – the very people I have created. I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid My face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” v. 14-21. There is no peace for the wicked…or for those under their control. The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. v. 1-2.

Only God can light the way through the darkness of this world. He begins a healing in our hearts and minds wearied by all the tossing and upheavals this world of idolatry and evil brings. Do you still think idolatry only existed in ancient times? Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of My people. The Lord is our shepherd…He guides us along the right paths for His name’s sake, He refreshes our soul. Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we will fear no evil, for You are with us; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort us. Psalm 23: 1, 3, 4. How can we be comforted in darkness? We turn to God. In Him is no darkness at all. Only the light of His truth and His love for us so in need of Him to light our way.