Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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.
Observation
“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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.” No matter what translation you use, this place in Scripture is arresting. In these times of upheaval, war and tragedy, doesn’t your soul ache for peace that will never end and One Who can truly rule with peace, fairness and justice? It seems so impossible, so hopeless, when we look at our turbulent world, our own society’s norms and sense of security up ended, the anger and division evident in public demonstrations, all the trauma from broken relationships, war, natural disasters, and terror attacks. Doesn’t your heart cry out for a respite, time to recover, freedom from being on the alert every moment, a return to feeling safe and secure? How do we answer when asked, “Where is God? How can a good God allow this to happen?” The “fixing” of it all seems insurmountable. Where would one even start?
Impact on Me
I think each of us starts with considering and judging our own condition and where each one of us stands with Jesus because He was always – even before creation – God’s answer, God’s fix, God’s eternal unfailing King of peace, fairness and justice. Every Christmas when I hear this Scripture, I have to ask myself who is my king, to whom am I submitted, where is my hope, on whom can I depend? I can be ruled and moved by earthly governments, powers, authorities, circumstances or by the One called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I can be first a citizen of the United States or first a citizen of Heaven. I make that choice. Jesus was born and lived under two oppressive, unjust, murderous ruling powers – the Romans and the Sanhedrin – but, through faithfulness and obedience to God’s rule, His plan, managed to become the pivot point on which my (and your) eternal destination rests because He simply chose to be first a citizen of Heaven.
I do not ignore my responsibilities as a citizen of my country and am not unmoved by the actions of earthly ruling authorities; I strive to honor God in obeying the laws and praying for unity and my leaders to be ruled by Heaven (rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s). I also remember Daniel’s prayer (see below) and find peace and comfort in knowing that, regardless of the circumstances – what I see and how we as people have messed things up – God controls the destiny of all nations and people. Because He has assigned me in the United States, He has a purpose for me here and, if I will be like Jesus and choose to be first a citizen of Heaven in all I do, perhaps others will chose to emigrate and also become citizens of Heaven. All of this is possible because this child was born to us, given to us as a gift. What an awesome gift He is!
Prayer
Lord, Savior, Immanuel, Perfect Lamb, You came as a baby with Your future set out before creation. Never let me forget that Christmas was the beginning of the fulfillment of this Scripture, Immanuel coming to earth to dwell among us. I choose to set my heart, soul and mind to be always first a citizen of Heaven, to put my hope in You as the One Who controls all destinies, to put my faith in the One You have chosen to rule and allow His light to pierce the darkness around me, to embrace this Son given to us and rejoice as I allow His kingdom to rule in me and spill over on everyone I meet, everyone I hug, everyone who will hear You speak through me. I pray this all in the name of Jesus. Make it so.
Daniel 2:20-23 NIV Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.