A New Take

As we leave Christmas behind and look forward to a New Year, I have been intrigued and challenged by reading, listening to and studying an Old Testament prophecy of the coming of Christ found in Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A practical flow of the passage has opened up to me, a way of looking at it I can’t remember seeing before, a new take on a familiar passage.  My emphases will be on the latter part of the verse and the four names given to this Child that was to be born (His humanity) and this Son who was to be given (His deity).  Let me explain.

Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor.  He, full of wonder and ready to impart it to us, provides guidance, direction and wisdom to live out His way of life.  We, in turn, have access to the power to make that happen in our lives, Him being the mighty God that He is.  This same Jesus is the One that will make sure that His plan is carried out forever and ever…since He is Everlasting.  And, as a crowning achievement of it all being done by Him and for Him, the Prince awards each one of His willing subjects peace.

There are many ways to see the awesome truths of this verse.  There is so much there, solid doctrine to stand on.  But I’d like you to get a hold of this simple truth.  Jesus is wonderfully guiding and directing us, gives us the power to follow His way forever and rewards us with His peace.  Simple, poignant, life changing.

There’s no one like HIm.  Read about His guidance, power, eternity and peace in the pages of the Bible.  If He is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do, nothing else matters more.  May He be our focus in 2022…and always.

Have a Blessed New Year!!!