Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas my dear friends! What a special time of the year where we can pause, rest, gather as family, share the love of Christ to those in our lives and those in need, exchange gifts, and celebrate the gift of restoration that God promised and provided through Jesus Christ. Join me in memorizing this wonderful verse, Isaiah 9:6, that was prophesied several hundred years before the birth of Christ.
For to us a child is born, a son is given. The gift that we celebrate each Christmas was given to US, to bring light into this dark world.
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
When you wake up early in the morning during the winter, how do you get rid of the darkness? Do you run around trying to chase it away? Of course not! We turn on the lights and there is simply no more room for darkness. Jesus is the light that this world needs. He is the light that our hearts need. When we feel the darkness creeping into our lives, we MUST remember to turn to our Wonderful Counselor. No matter how hard we try, we cannot bring light in the darkness by our own strength.
The same can be said culturally & corporately. Our world is full of injustice, corruption, anger, division, and political strife. Many believe that the answer can be found through reformed laws, social policies, and other types of human intervention driven mainly from technological development and scientific progress. If we all do our part, we can make the world a better place. Not only is this never found in history, but its in contrast to our human nature that we feel in our heart. We know that those in power are extraordinarily tempted which is further fueled by pride, greed, and selfishness. Yet the world turns to a sovereign government because there is no other hope.
King David is probably our closest example of successful servant leadership. He was constantly checking his heart and turning to the Lord for his strength. He owned his mistakes when he failed and humbly repented. The verse below is a portion of David’s prayer to God as Solomon is anointed as the next king.
1 Chronicles 29:12-13
Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
God gave humans dominion over the earth and we have fallen. Our hope rests in Jesus Christ for restoration, in whom we are promised that the government will be upon his shoulders. The names of God that we are given are spectacular: Wonderful Counselor, counseling us through the toughest times; Mighty God, with the strength to carry us through the greatest tribulations; Everlasting Father, ever present and always by our side; and Prince of Peace, where His perfect love undoubtedly brings peace on earth.
Isaiah 9:7
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
We have seen God’s promise of restoration through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We look forward to His return when all things will be made new, darkness will be crushed, and His light forever shining over all the earth.
May you be blessed this Christmas by His love in such an extraordinary way that it pours out into the lives of everyone you meet.
Revelation 21: 22-26
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
In Christ’s Strength Alone,
Leyna