Waiting on Christmas: Peace
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Waiting on Christmas: Peace | Advent 2023 - Isaiah 9
December 10th, 2023
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Be mindful of placing too high of expectations on a season and too low of expectations of the person of Jesus.
A good question to ask yourself is – are you predominately asking God for His approval or for His direction?
Psalm 46 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
“Being still” isn’t primarily a lack of movement – it is a lack of panic. Being still is a settledness. The key to peace is patience. A Peaceful Person is a Patient Person.
Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV) Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (Israel), but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan 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.
“Nevertheless” is a second chance word. God’s promise acknowledges a loss without staying in the lost.
“Nevertheless” is a power word. God’s promise overpowers the consequences of the past.
“Nevertheless” is a life-giving word. God’s promise signals a new way forward in the face of a dead end.
5 “Nevertheless Promise” flips.
Gloom flipped to Hope. There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
Darkness flipped to Light. 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Reduction flipped to Expansion. 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.
Oppression flipped to Freedom. 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.
Weakness flipped to Strength. 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.
The power of the Nevertheless
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 increase 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.
“For to us a child is born and to us a son given.
“The government will be on his shoulders.”
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Don’t you underestimate the power of Jesus just because other people do.
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
Isaiah’s description of our Savior is significant.
He covers our need for insight and direction.
He covers our need for strength and resolve.
He covers our need for love and nurturing.
He covers our need for wholeness.
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.
You have a Nevertheless Promise in Jesus. You have Present Provision in Jesus. What are you waiting for?