Read: Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as they are
glad when
they divide the spoil. 4For
the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his
oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For every boot of the tramping
warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as
fuel for the fire. 6For
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. 7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will
be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to
uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and
forevermore.
Reflect:
“The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a
land of deep darkness, on them a light has shone.”
The
people of Israel were stumbling in the dark. They were making wrong choices.
Isaiah was giving them the good news that the light would come; a beautiful
white light that would chase away the shadows. There was hope despite their
wrong choices. The light would bring joy and freedom. Most of all, the light
would bring peace. Now, the Israelites didn’t know that Isaiah was talking
about Jesus; they just knew there would be a Promised One, a Messiah. And look
at all He would be: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and
Prince of Peace.
I
don’t like the dark. I use timers on my lamps so I don’t have to come home to a
dark house. I even sleep with a string of Christmas lights in my room. I need
the light or I will stumble. I need God’s light or my life will be a stumbling
mess. I need someone to give me direction. I need someone to be the one in
control. I need someone to love me without condition. I need someone to root my
life in so that despite the circumstances, I have peace. I am thankful that
Jesus came so that I could have all of that and more.
Act:
Are
you stumbling in the dark a little this Christmas season? Turn on the light.
Pick up God’s Word and look for Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Pray:
Thank
you, Jesus, for being all those things and more to me. As Christmas draws near,
may I center my celebrations on who You are. May I not stumble in darkness, but
walk in Your light. Be my Prince of Peace so that I may be a peace-bringer in
the days to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment