Isaiah – Be Still…

Isaiah 9:6-7 – What A Child!

Let that first line sink in just a bit. Who was this child born for? Isaiah said, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.” Jesus came for us! To those hearing Isaiah’s words then and now, we can be sure the babe in the manger is for us. Isaiah may not have known who would ultimately fulfill this word from God, but we do.

Our Christmas preparations are nearing an end, and soon we’ll embark on the season of Christmas. Who is this child in the manger to you? Is Jesus a promise of hope and redemption? Isaiah exclaims his identity as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus is all of that and so much more. Continue reading “Isaiah 9:6-7 – What A Child!”

Isaiah 52:7-10 – Break Into Song!

Read Isaiah 52:7-10

What a prophecy clearly pointing to Jesus’ first coming while at the same time speaking to an earlier audience, those returning to Jerusalem after years in exile, apart from God. What a time to celebrate that reunion was!

There are a lot of joyful people in this psalm, many of whom are breaking into song because their joy just can’t be still. What was the source of such delight? Our God reigns and comforts us all at the same time. The victory belongs to the LORD, let’s make some music and worship! Continue reading “Isaiah 52:7-10 – Break Into Song!”

Isaiah 53:1-12 – Man of Sorrows

Read Isaiah 53:1-12

Doesn’t it boggle your mind to read Isaiah’s words given to him by God generations before Jesus embodied them? They couldn’t more perfectly describe what our LORD endured. On Holy Saturday, as Jesus’ body lies in the tomb, asleep yet battling death, we remember.

When do you think people connected the dots and realized that Isaiah’s prophecy spoke of Jesus? How do people today react to this prophecy? Reading it through the “lens of Holy Week” the richness of the message is even more powerful.

Christmas 📜 Isaiah 7:14 – Immanuel

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel
(which means ‘God is with us’). “ (Isaiah 7:14)

I love that the name Immanuel means “God is with us.” What a perfect name for Jesus. He came into the dark world he loved so much to be with us, to be one of us. Knowing Jesus is with us gives us hope for tomorrow and makes the world a little brighter.

It’s interesting to know the back story of this prophecy from Isaiah. Right before this, Isaiah had been speaking with King Ahaz. You may recall Ahaz was one of those wicked kings that did detestable things. (2 Kings 16) It was during his 16-year reign that Ahaz feared a takeover by Israel and it’s ally, Assyria. God’s message through Isaiah had been that no invasion would take place.

Christmas 💗 Isaiah 9:6 – Jesus

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

What do you think Isaiah thought when he gave us this message? Did he know it was a Messianic prophecy? Did he have any inkling that this child would be so famous? Of course, any child being called Mighty God had to be pretty special!

At Christmas we remember the precious child, God’s own son, born just for us. God loves us that much! Make sure you stop a couple of times today to marvel at how God’s majesty was laying in a manger bed. How humbling!