December 11th
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Jesus reigns. It's one of those sayings we have in church that's almost cliché, but, really, it would be tragic for us to let this phrase lose its power.
Let's look together at our verses for today and find five aspects of Jesus' reign that will help reinvigorate this phrase in our understanding.
First, Jesus' reign is wonderful. What's so wonderful about it? Well, just think of why He came to Earth in the first place-to take up the whole world upon Himself on the cross so that we could be saved. If that doesn't define wonderful then I don't know what does!
Second, He's also the Counselor. This counselor is a lawyer, one who argues on our behalf. And truly, that is what Jesus does for us every day, so that when we mess up, Jesus just says, You know what, Father? I already paid for that one, and that guy believes in me.
Third, He's our Mighty God. And why would we worship anyone else? Who else has created anything? Who else rose from the dead? Who else holds all creation together with the power of their word? Who else calms storms and gets us through life? Only our Mighty God.
Fourth, He's our everlasting Father. This Father will never leave you, never abandon you, never abuse you, never miss a thing in your life. He is everlasting! And He's our Father, the one who gives us our name, our identity, changing us so completely by bringing us into His very own family.
Fifth, He is the Prince of Peace, the ruler over our safety. The Hebrew word for peaceshalom-is not a lack of conflict; it is safety. And truly we know that the only safe place to be is hiding under the wings of our Prince of Peace.
This is what it really means that Jesus reigns, that when He reigns, these five things enter into our lives and rule over them. If you want that, then ask God for it today.
Prayer Lord Jesus,
You want the best for me, and when You reign over my life You bring such wonderful things with You. Please come today and reign over my life. Be my Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!
Amen