To us a Child is Born - Part 4
Isaiah 9v7
24th December 2020
Through the prophet Isaiah, around 700 years before the incarnation of God the Son as the man Jesus Christ, God told us a great deal about who He would be, what He would be like, and what He would achieve. We've been thinking particularly about this prophecy:
Isaiah 9v1-7
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he
humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour
Galilee of the Gentiles, by the Way of the Sea, along the Jordan —
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 men 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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase 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.
Our study finishes today with these words:
Isaiah 9v7
Of the increase [or 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.
Jesus is both the Lord of the universe and the Prince of Peace. His kingdom is like no other. It alone is a kingdom of justice and righteousness. It will know no end. It will always be great, and it will always grow. As Isaiah will prophesy in Chapter 11 verse 9, "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Every minute of every day, somebody is being born again as a child of God, and entering into God's kingdom. There are more Christians now than there have ever been. This is not just because Christians live for ever and so the church includes those who have gone to their rest, as well as those of us who are still on earth. There are also more Christians on earth than ever before. And our number will continue to increase. I've heard it said that we live in a post-Christian society. I prefer to say that we live in a pre-Christian society. You ain't seen nothing yet.
Jesus reigns on the throne of David. He is descended from David through both Joseph's and Mary's lines. He is the heir to all God's promises to Judah's royal family. His is the kingdom of God. And the meek shall inherit the earth.
All this is certain, because to us a child is born, to us a son is given. The coming of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity in human flesh, God become man, Emmanuel, God with us, changed everything, for all time. He lived a sinless life. He died an unjust death. He paid for our sins. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. He has been given all authority over heaven and earth.
His will must come to pass. No-one can prevent Him doing as He pleases. And He pleases to save us into His eternal, ever-expanding kingdom.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Hallelujah! You and I don't need to accomplish the increase of the kingdom of God. Jesus will do that. We are merely His servants. Thank God!
2020 has been a very difficult year, and this Christmas is very strange. For many it will be very lonely. Generally, it won't be merry. But it can be full of the love and the presence of God. God is with us. May God hold you in His peace, keep you safe, and give you hope that the future can be much better than the present.