For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
~ Isaiah 9:6-7
These magnificent words sung to the stirring music of Handel’s “Messiah” exemplify the Christmas message. Many of us can’t read this passage without the music echoing in our hearts and minds. Isaiah’s words point to the first coming of Jesus when a child is born, a son is given. They point to the Second Coming of Christ in glory and majesty at the end of time, to establish and uphold His kingdom with justice and righteousness. And they point to the eternal nature of God’s kingdom under the rulership of Jesus—there will be no end from this time forth and forevermore. Although the music was written about 400 years ago, Isaiah prophesied these words hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. God’s plan was perfect from the beginning.
Almighty and everlasting God, thank You for giving us the holy and majestic words of prophecy and for giving talent to men to compose stirring and enthralling music. But far above that, Lord, thank You for fulfilling the prophecy in Jesus’s birth at Christmas and at the end of time in His Second Coming and eternal rule. As magnificent as these words (and music of “Messiah”) are, Your plan and Jesus’s fulfillment of it are infinitely greater. Make me ever grateful. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Note: These devotions are also available in print and e-reader formats.
All author proceeds from the devotionals will be donated to Love for the Least. The mission of L4L is to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. Currently they are providing food, mattresses, milk and diapers for babies, and other needs for refugees from ISIS in northern Iraq.