We all love celebrity encounters. We share the photos of the drumstick caught during the concert. We rejoice that the country singer crossed the street in front of us and briefly made eye contact. We recognize the actress on a flight, tweet about it, and she replies. We frame the professional athlete’s autograph. We wave at the presidential motorcade.

It’s amazing to me that a celebrity can be near us for maybe seven seconds, and we never forget it—even though that star will never remember it. What’s more amazing to me is that every time we are reading the Bible or in a small group study or at a worship service, we are encountering the biggest celebrity of all time, the living God. What’s astonishing, though, is that at these encounters, he treats us like celebrities! He rejoices over us with singing. He replies every single time we pray to him. He engraves our names on the palm of his hand.

He also promises that he is Immanuel, not “God walked near us” or “God made eye contact with us” but literally “God with us.” He assures us that he will always remember us and never leave us. He promises that even if celebrities, the world, or even our own parents forget us, “I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15). He reminds us that nothing can separate us from his love, that he will bless us, smile on us, and give us peace, which is way better than a concert drumstick.