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. 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. Isaiah 9:6-7
Isaiah’s famous prophecy about the coming of the Messiah grabs our attention because of the remarkable descriptions of who the Christ would be: Son, Counselor, God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This defines the kind of reign he would have in our lives. It is a certainty. “The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” In other words, God is committed to this outcome. His reign will be absolute.
When we read “the government will be on his shoulders,” we could have a gut- level reaction to “government” because of all the disappointing things people associate with bureaucracies and politics.
But governing is necessary in any society. The alternative—anarchy, chaos, injustice—is unthinkable.
God knows we need governing. That is why he calls himself King, Shepherd, Master, Lord, and Father. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the world gained its greatest ruler.
Governing is a weighty task—especially for leaders in society who really want truth and integrity to rule the day. That is one reason we know we need a savior who has something to do with ruling our unruly lives. The ungoverned life is sloppy, wayward, and lawless. The properly governed life is our best hope of being free from the domination of sin.
“The government will be on his shoulders.” There is a time when the righteousness and justice of God will rule supreme. In the meantime we can fight against ignorance, sin, and evil by coming under King Jesus.
PONDER: What part of your life ought to come under the governing of Jesus in these days?
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LET THE WORDS SINK IN (Handel: Messiah, For unto us a child is born)
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FAMILY TALK
Who reigns in your life? Is it you? Or is it Jesus who is our “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”? It is so easy to engage in a power struggle with God. We decide that we know what is best for our lives, and we walk away from the plans God has for us. Today’s passage is a poignant reminder of who is really in charge.
Read Isaiah 9:6-7. What do the titles “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, [and] Prince of Peace” mean? How do each of these titles describe God? When have you listened to
God? When is it hard to listen to God? What steps can you take to rely more fully on God?
Krista Heinen
Sometimes when I start to post a comment I feel like I am sitting or laying on a couch with a person holding a tablet taking notes… then I delete what I start to post and just want to share that I love the Lord and I thank each of you for taking the time to share your love for Him too. I love Him regardless of the Name listed in the Word…He is my Abba; my Best Friend; My Faithful Advisor; My Strength…He is EVERYTHING…that is who He is to me without Him I am NOTHING…with Him I am a better daughter for Him…less of me and more of Him is how I want to be … I sometimes shun what He is saying to me and I talk with Him…cry with Him…pray with Him… He never leaves me and there it is…
As I read your post I smile and imagine that each of us will someday stand before Creation and say: “…let me tell you of the wonders of my Lord…” Thanks for encouraging us in His excellency…God is good…
Jesus is the only ruler for our lives and we need to follow Him with thanksgiving and praise also thanking God for His love and Jesus our savior.
I tell my children it is silly to to think that any human in their lives is more powerful than God! It is comforting to know this and that He is in control. It just makes sense to leave it all to God and ask Him to make clear what He wants us to do in any situation.
Very wise words Sally, and your children will thank you for it one day !
It took me far too much of my life to learn about “letting go” and handing things to God. I have many examples where he took over a fixed the unfixable and stopped me from making big mistakes. As I mentioned elsewhere, He often just reveals one step at a time. I eventually learnt that following this way, nothing is easy but nothing is impossible. Did you find that ?
“The properly governed life is our best hope of being free from the domination of sin.”
Wow… let that sink in a minute…God help us today to be mindful of your direction.
I was never a good writer or even had an interest in this type of creativity. When I became a Christian somehow this talent started to grow and it basically started with writing and directing a Christmas program at one of the churches I attended some years back. I was blessed in having the opportunity to write, direct, and even act in 4 Christmas programs/pageants plus direct and act in a children’s Christmas musical and Stewardship musical as well.
It always amazed me when starting from the first practice to the time of performance how the Lord somehow brought it all to completion. “It’s not enough time and too difficult ” one upstanding lady in one congregation told me in doing a children’s musical. This person wanted us to stop and do something else. I was seeing progress and continued to pursue making adjustments in some of the songs and lines. We had one group of kids that were 1st graders and were having trouble when to come in. Some of the high school kids didn’t want to participate. I prayed about it. The Lord gave me a vision to put the play on a large flip tablet and color code their lines. Not one kid missed a line. High school kids stepped up to the plate including 3 boys to play the 3 wise men and others to play Mary & Joseph and do a song in one of the scenes. We even had a live baby for Jesus! Extra practices were added and sound adjustments made. The congregation felt so blessed with the story and amazed with the talent of the kids!
It is Isaiah’s promise in 9:6 to 7 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Councilor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
When I look at the words from Isaiah and see this prophesy come true, it gives me great awe and joy, and honor to follow a Savior that has guided me through the messes in my life and allowed me opportunities in life I felt were not imaginable. It’s time to stop doubting and truly get our hearts and minds focused on Christ Jesus our Messiah! He has a plan and will help bring it to completion through repentance, forgiveness, and asking Him into our lives and lay out a plan for us!!!
It is Jesus who is our “Wonderful Counsellors, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”? He took out my sickness out from body He gave my daughter a job, my daughter’s life completely change because of him. I love him so much; His love endures for ever.
I think this is an excellent reminder to those whose faith becomes shaky (it can happen to all of us). The role of Jesus was defined and predicted a very long time before he was born and the words written already. Not all of it made sense until the events unfolded in Jesus’ lifetime and his way of government wasn’t what most people were expecting. However, if we all follow his teaching, then our duties are clear. The ten commandments are simple enough to follow, but Jesus went a stage further and made it even simpler for us, teaching us to love God and to love our neighbours (see below). If we follow these commandments, then what reason would we have to steal from, kill or even be jealous of others ? Everything falls into place.
Jesus was, is and always will be Prince of Peace and he has always led by example. If we and all our governments really and honestly follow His teaching, then there is no doubt that the world will be a very different and much better place. The truth is the only thing that can set us free from the webs that are woven.
God had a clear plan for his son, but it was not clear to those on Earth until it’s completion. In a similar way, I believe He has a plan for each of us, but does not reveal the entire plan. Doesn’t it make sense to follow each individual step that He gives us, with faith and trust ?
Matthew 22 (NCV)
36 “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?”
37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
38 This is the first and most important command.
39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’
40 All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.”