Isaiah 9: 2-7 NLT The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. 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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 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. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Observation
Government can be defined as (1) the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state; (2) the system by which a state or community is governed: (3) the action or manner of controlling or regulating a state, organization, or people. Essentially, government is the authority under which we choose to live. In the United States, we have a democratic republic. In the time of Jesus, there was a mix of dictatorship (Roman rule) and theocracy (religious rule). All of these are human contructs and subject to the character, motives, ethics and morals of those who rule. There is no guarantee of “fairness and justice” when humans are in control. Please understand – until Jesus comes again, we need a human government and good representatives to do the best they can to administer law/justice, provide protection, and unify a people.
However, human governments are not eternal. “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.” So, we have a choice to choose the system under which we live, to choose who is our ultimate governing authority for now and forever. In Christ we have a promise of fairness, justice, peace and protection that never ends. To do this, we must set ourselves to live first by the laws of His government regardless of the environment and challenges of human authority. Sometimes, it is difficult to do.
Impact on Me
This is not a political commentary. I ache to see Jesus rule in and over the lives of those all over the world who are living in angst (a feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity) over current affairs. I do not understand so much of what is happening throughout the world. I don’t have a comforting answer to those agonizing over a God who allows war, pain, greed, power-hungry pursuits, or any of the other injustices of humanity. My only answer is that the nature of my God is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” He is Savior, Constant Companion, Protector, Wise Teacher, Healer and so much more. This is what I need to understand.
When I allow angst to rule my thoughts, my choices, my life, I am choosing human government over Jesus government. To do so is to open the door to doubt, unbelief and sin. I become one of those who walk in darkness. I want to be full of the Light that leads people out of that deep darkness. I will only do that if I allow Jesus to govern my thoughts, motives, actions and words. This requires the surrender of my soul to respond according to His will and purposes, saying no to how my flesh wants to react. This is a lifelong change that only Holy Spirit can accomplish as I give Him permission.
Devotion
I bow in worship to You, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. I ache for all to submit to Your authority because it is saving, healing, resurrection life. Help me to keep my motives, my actions, my words firmly rooted in Your will and purpose. I want to be a lantern beaming with Your light into the deep darkness so others may choose to enter Your kingdom. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 