The cold & snow may have cancelled our evening service, but they can't cancel God's awesome Christmas promises!
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Summary
This famous Christmas passage begins with God's people in a very dark place. Rather than living their lives according to God's Law, they listen to the voices of the world which whisper and mutter (8:19). Without the light of the truth, they descend further into darkness and bitterness, roaming through the land in anger and rage.
Sounds familiar to our current culture, doesn't it!
That's why Isaiah's announcement at the beginning of chapter 9 is so amazing! There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress... The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light (9:1-2).
Isaiah prophesies that this freedom will come through the birth of a child - a child who would be a King. Whereas ordinary kings place a burden upon their people, this Messianic King will bear his people's burden on His shoulders.
Royal figures often have really long, official names, and this child-king that Isaiah writes about is no different. His official kingly names will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace (9:6).
At the time Isaiah wrote these words, Israel's monarchy had descended to a very low point, but this new King will break the cycle: He will establish and uphold justice and righteousness forever (9:7).
Dig Deeper
Isaiah weaves two themes together in prophesying about Christ: He will move people from darkness into light, and will rule in such a way that snuffs out the ever present effects of sin in the world.
Keep these themes in mind as you begin a new year. Isaiah makes it clear that Christ's victory will be fully accomplished by the zeal of the LORD Almighty (9:7) - in other words, your salvation comes by grace alone - but this passage places two big obligations upon you.
First, be certain to continue walking in this light that you've been placed in. You can do so by making daily Bible reading and weekly church attendance top priorities in your life.
Secondly, and similarly, remember that at all times and in all places you are a subject of this just and righteous King. As we heard in Ecclesiastes 12, this means you must fear God and keep His commandments.
AAA Prayer :
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father God is the LORD Almighty - the God of Angel Armies!
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will be a beacon of light to a world wandering in the darkness.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
On Monday, January 2 the 5x5 is becoming the Unfading Truth Bible Reading Plan! If you've been subscribed to the 5x5 notifications, you'll continue to get them from Unfading Truth.
Take a moment to invite friends & family to join us in 2023. Here's a sample text message you can send:
Hey guys, join me in this Bible reading plan in 2023. You can read or listen- 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Go to UnfadingTruth.org to join.
