THE PRINCE OF PEACE
Opening Prayer
Through your Word, Father, give me ever-growing reason for thanksgiving and praise. Increase my understanding of the victories that are mine in Christ.
Read ISAIAH 8:19 – 9:7
The Darkness Turns to Light
19 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.
9 [a]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, 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.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1 is numbered 8:23, and 9:2-21 is numbered 9:1-20.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
They say night is darkest just before the dawn. That may not be true, but it reminds us not to give up. We can seek hope today in Jesus, ‘the true light’ (John 1:9).A prom ball after exams. A wrap party after filming. A feast when the harvest is gathered in. All these customary celebrations mark the successful end of a time of intense pressure and effort. Relax! It’s over!
One day we shall really celebrate. Isaiah tells us why (9:3–6). Despite all the gloomy warnings and judgments to fall on God’s people living in darkness, one day it would be over. The Lord would have won them a victory even better than the great victories of their history. The blows of judgment from various invading armies would have ceased. The light would shine. This would all be because of someone unique, given four majestic titles here. Of all the prophecies of the Messiah pointing to the Lord Jesus, verse 6 (which we hear every Christmas) is surely one of the greatest.
Which of these names (v. 6) means the most to you? Wonderful Counselor—an extraordinary friend. Mighty for every need, and God, no less. Everlasting Father—father par excellence and father of eternity. Prince of Peace—a prince unlike any other, at one with God and at peace with himself, whose reign will be one of peace and harmony, justice and righteousness, well-being and fulfillment, forever (v. 7). We may start rejoicing now.
Apply
Praise the Lord! ‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord’ (Psalm 150:6).
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, as I face different challenges and disappointments, use the Word you have hidden in my heart to remind me of the loving faithfulness of my Savior Jesus.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.