The context for this verse is that the northern nation of Israel had joined forces with Syria to attack Judah. And when Judah's king, Ahaz, heard about this, it says in verse 2 'the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind'. They were struck with fear. I wonder, do you feel shaken? Have winter pressures and the cost of living left your branches bare, lost leaves piled up around your feet? Here it seems that the people of Judah identify more as Ahaz's people than Yahweh's. They've forgotten who they belong to. But God calls them to trust in him, saying in verse 4 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart'. What's more, he makes them a promise that in their family line '… The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel'. Immanuel meaning "God with us"'.(verse 14)

As we pray for midwives this week, I'm reminded that midwife, mid wif, means 'with woman'. We stay close, we listen intently, comfort, soothe, strengthen and encourage women as they labour. May we know God to be with us in this way too.

Please join me in praying:

Immanuel, we pray to you, our God with us
for Midwives across our nation
that we wouldn't be shaken by fear
but would know you to be close to us as we labour on.

Amen