In the Old Testament, we see the nation of Israel struggle with faithfulness and obedience to God. God would warn them and they might repent for a time, but eventually they would turn again to idolatry and sin. Then they would have to endure the consequences of their disobedience when God allowed other nations to conquer them.
Israel needed a leader and a rescuer. A savior and a king. And they trusted that God would provide one.
The prophet Isaiah did not get to deliver happy, feel-good news to the Israelites. Many of his messages called the people to repent and to turn back to God, He warned them of God’s coming judgment for their sins. But Isaiah did not leave the people without hope.
We read Isaiah 9:2 yesterday. Today, let’s look at the whole passage.
Read
Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 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.
4 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 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.
Reflect
Isaiah proclaimed that the Messiah was coming and he would bring bright light and great joy.
And now we know his name — Jesus.
At last, Emmanuel, God-with-us, has come and we celebrate his birth at Christmas. With him, his kingdom has arrived and we now know that he is not just the Savior of the Jewish people, but of the whole world. All of us who have denied God and rebelled against his will can be saved! Anyone who places their faith in him will know the true joy of a relationship with God. That relationship begins now and will last into eternity.
Jesus Messiah has come and through his life on earth, he has shown us what his kingdom is like. Justice, righteousness, love, and acceptance will reign and disease, death, disaster and heartache will be banished. Although God’s given us a glimpse of what the kingdom will be like through his Word and in our experience with the Holy Spirit, we are not yet experiencing it in its fullness. So like Isaiah’s listeners, we are waiting, and it can feel like God is taking a long time.
Whatever your circumstances today, remember that you live in the “already” but “not yet.” So much has already been gifted to us, but we’re not yet experiencing the fullness of God’s redemption. If you have trusted in Christ as your Savior, you know the joy of having your sins forgiven and your eternal destiny secured. You know the presence of Emmanuel through his Spirit. That doesn’t mean life won’t sometimes be hard, but in those moments, remember the future your Messiah has waiting for you — an eternal place in his kingdom. It can turn the pain of waiting into the joy of expectancy as we fix our eyes on Jesus and eagerly await his return.
Today, praise God that you have already experienced his love and mercy through Christ, and look forward to the joy and peace that is to come in his eternal kingdom. Praise him for the peace and hope you can have today.
