This morning begins a sermon series titled “Those Who Know Your Name”, which is taken from Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” When we know who God is, we trust. him. Through the month of January we will be looking together at the names and titles of God, so that our faith in him might grow.

This morning we will begin with the name Immanuel, which means God with us. This is exactly the name Joseph needed to know in a circumstance that seemed destined for an unhappy conclusion. He had considered and weighed the possibilities and divorcing pregnant Mary seemed like the only option. But the angel told him not to fear to take Mary home as his wife. The Holy Spirit had orchestrated all of this. In their son, God would be with them.

We are in frightening, confusing days. Maybe you feel like your situation cannot possibly have a good ending. Maybe you’ve weighed the options and it seems there is really only one option, and it isn’t a good one. God is with us. God is with you. Immanuel means we can face life without fear. Immanuel means God may have other options.