August 4, 2017 – Isaiah 9:6

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. Isaiah 9:6.

This prophecy of the birth of Jesus came about 2700 years before the event – in Luke 2.  Talk about long-range planning.  The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and ‘peace on earth to those whom God is pleased‘ (Luke 2) blend together together in joy of what is in Jesus.

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:11-14

Jesus is a Gift from God and His message is Peace.  Peace comes through our faith in Jesus Christ.  This morning I read a quote from  Paul David Tripp about Faith: ‘Faith is not just what you do with your brain…faith is what you do with your life.‘  Hebrews 11 is called the Faith Chapter of those who have proven their faith in God and His Son through obedience to them.  Their lives are a testament of faith.

Celebrating Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2) with joy, is not seasonal, but an every day happening. He teaches us peace-living to glorify our God.  Our commitment to our Lord God wavers, yet, He continues to call to us – Come! His government and its peace shall never end.  Jesus promises – ‘Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:20)

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!  Isaiah 9:7.