Immanuel - God With Us: A 6-Day Advent Devotional From the Team at Gather25Sample

Over the last few days, we have taken a journey through Scripture. We have seen all the ways God has moved throughout history to be with us, from the garden to the Tabernacle and temple to Jesus himself, to the gift of the Holy Spirit for all believers.

Can you even believe the sweetness of this gift? That God, the all-powerful creator of the universe, wants to be with us? That our Holy God who is perfect and without sin promises that if we draw near to him, he will draw near to us (James 4:8)?

But the fellowship we enjoy with God now through the Holy Spirit is still just a taste of what is to come. The book of Revelation is rich with promises of what all believers can look forward to when Satan is finally defeated and creation is redeemed:

“‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore’” (Revelation 21:3-4).

One day, we will dwell forever with God himself, unhindered by sadness, sin, or death! His presence will be the greatest gift of all eternity.

Revelation 7:9 describes the glorious worship that those who believe in Jesus will experience then:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…’”

God’s gift of salvation and eternal life is available to all who turn from their sin and believe in him; the Bible promises that Heaven will be full of believers from every nation, tribe, people and language! When we worship with believers from all around the world like we’ll do at Gather25, we are getting a precious taste of what’s to come throughout eternity.

From the beginning of time, God has had a plan to rescue his people and be with them. This Advent season, we pray that you will receive the greatest gift of all – Jesus, our Immanuel – and will take bold steps to share this gift with someone in your life.

Jesus, Thank you for your gift of salvation! I can’t wait to dwell with you for all eternity. As I celebrate your birth this Christmas season, I praise you for making a way for me to be with you forever.

Reflect: Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? If you want to follow him, you can start by praying a simple prayer:

Jesus, I want a relationship with you. Thank you for wanting a relationship with me! I know that I am a sinner who needs a Savior. I believe that you came to earth to rescue me from my sin by laying down your life on the cross. I believe that you are the perfect Son of God who has the power to save. And I believe that death did not defeat you, but you rose from the grave and are seated with the Father right now. I want to follow you and live with you in heaven forever.

If all of this is true...then what do we do? That is what we want to explore at Gather25 on March 1, 2025. Learn how you can join Jesus followers from every nation for 25 hours of prayer, repentance, worship and commissioning. It's a gathering of the global church unlike ever before, and it wouldn't be a gathering of the church without you.

Did you enjoy this plan? Follow the Gather25 page here in the Bible App to get notified when our 21-day prayer journey begins in January. Learn more about Gather25 at gather25.com.