I wrote a short devotional on Isaiah 9:6 about 12 years ago. The verse spoke to me more clearly than ever that year, as I was kind of lost and unsure of my future. Not much has changed in that department, but the view of God I received that year changed my outlook, and has kept me persevering for Him. It has become one of my favoriete verses...
Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
From the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, until present day, it is quite obvious that humankind needs help. We are a lost people. We are dead in our trespasses. (Ephesians 2:1) None of us is righteous. (Psalm 53:3)
In a few days we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you agree that the date is accurate or if you even celebrate it does not change the fact that it happened. It is history. So many prophecies in the Old Testament predicted the coming of a Savior. For hundreds of years, God’s people waited, sometimes impatiently and sometimes peacefully but always hopefully. Deep in each of our souls is the longing to be saved, to be loved, to be forgiven. God made us that way. He enabled salvation by sending Jesus ,who is God in the flesh. He came to be the perfect sacrifice, the perfect lamb to appease the wrath of Holy God. Our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west. We are redeemed and grafted in to the family of God. Praise Him!
But God also knew we would need daily help. His job description, if you will, in Isaiah 9:6 is quite lofty. But we can count on him to be these things and so much more
.
First, He is Mighty Counselor. Who doesn’t need advice and guidance from time to time? Ok, well minute by minute in some cases! We can count on God’s word and the words of Jesus Christ to light our paths; to help us make the right choices. He is there to counsel us in the ways we should go.
Next, He is Mighty God. Mighty as defined by Webster-having or showing great strength or power, possessing the power, authority, or resources wielded.
He is all powerful, all sufficient, and all-knowing. He is a super hero, and He is on our side!
He is our Everlasting Father. Everlasting. Not temporary. Not just in this life. Not just when He feels like it. Eternally He is our Abba father-our dad.
Lastly, He is Prince of Peace. Our daily stuff is anything but peaceful. Nations and families are divided, Conflict, both internal and external, permeates our lives. But God promises true peace.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
We are never alone. We are never without answers. We are never powerless. We have a father who loves us and cares enough for us to show us the way, to never leave our side, to fight for us and to give us peace.
So just as the Israelites waited in joyful hope for Messiah, we celebrate this hope and anticipate his return. Philippians 2:9-11 says “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This all gives me hope for today and hope for eternity. So, this year, when you see all the signs and ornaments containing the word “Believe”, take pause and think…does this mean in Santa, the magic of Christmas, hope in mankind. Or is it for you, like it is for me? Belief in a triune God who created me, saved me, sustains me, promises me a prosperous future and guarantees eternal life. Choose to believe this,and the joy and hope that you feel this time of year doesn’t end. It only grows greater and deeper over time. May you and your families know the love of God this Christmas and make Jesus Lord of your lives. John 3:16 declares the greatest gift in history was given to us!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Receive it! Believe it! Rest in it!
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
From the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, until present day, it is quite obvious that humankind needs help. We are a lost people. We are dead in our trespasses. (Ephesians 2:1) None of us is righteous. (Psalm 53:3)
In a few days we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you agree that the date is accurate or if you even celebrate it does not change the fact that it happened. It is history. So many prophecies in the Old Testament predicted the coming of a Savior. For hundreds of years, God’s people waited, sometimes impatiently and sometimes peacefully but always hopefully. Deep in each of our souls is the longing to be saved, to be loved, to be forgiven. God made us that way. He enabled salvation by sending Jesus ,who is God in the flesh. He came to be the perfect sacrifice, the perfect lamb to appease the wrath of Holy God. Our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west. We are redeemed and grafted in to the family of God. Praise Him!
But God also knew we would need daily help. His job description, if you will, in Isaiah 9:6 is quite lofty. But we can count on him to be these things and so much more
.
First, He is Mighty Counselor. Who doesn’t need advice and guidance from time to time? Ok, well minute by minute in some cases! We can count on God’s word and the words of Jesus Christ to light our paths; to help us make the right choices. He is there to counsel us in the ways we should go.
Next, He is Mighty God. Mighty as defined by Webster-having or showing great strength or power, possessing the power, authority, or resources wielded.
He is all powerful, all sufficient, and all-knowing. He is a super hero, and He is on our side!
He is our Everlasting Father. Everlasting. Not temporary. Not just in this life. Not just when He feels like it. Eternally He is our Abba father-our dad.
Lastly, He is Prince of Peace. Our daily stuff is anything but peaceful. Nations and families are divided, Conflict, both internal and external, permeates our lives. But God promises true peace.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
We are never alone. We are never without answers. We are never powerless. We have a father who loves us and cares enough for us to show us the way, to never leave our side, to fight for us and to give us peace.
So just as the Israelites waited in joyful hope for Messiah, we celebrate this hope and anticipate his return. Philippians 2:9-11 says “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This all gives me hope for today and hope for eternity. So, this year, when you see all the signs and ornaments containing the word “Believe”, take pause and think…does this mean in Santa, the magic of Christmas, hope in mankind. Or is it for you, like it is for me? Belief in a triune God who created me, saved me, sustains me, promises me a prosperous future and guarantees eternal life. Choose to believe this,and the joy and hope that you feel this time of year doesn’t end. It only grows greater and deeper over time. May you and your families know the love of God this Christmas and make Jesus Lord of your lives. John 3:16 declares the greatest gift in history was given to us!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Receive it! Believe it! Rest in it!
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
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