Living By Faith Blog

Takes Effort

Because of my sin and dullness, it usually takes effort for me to see and feel the wonder of Christ’s birth.

But there’s good news.  God promises that if I will ask for his help, and meditate deeply on his Word, he will show me his glory (John 6:67; Galatians 3:5; Psalm 43:3-4).

And one passage God has often used to break through my dullness is the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:7-8.

So I want to share it with you, praying that God will use this prophecy to bring you to the manger with deep adoration and worship for Jesus Christ.

Isaiah’s Prophecy

Here’s what Isaiah wrote 700 years before Christ —

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given …

Isaiah prophesies that in the future a special child — a son — would be born.  This is a direct prophecy of the birth of Jesus.

And the government shall be upon his shoulder …

Not SOME of the government.  THE government — all of it.  All authority would belong to him.  Every detail of your life is completely under his wise and loving authority.  Trust him.

And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

Jesus’ counsel is always wonderful — a word which means “extraordinary” and “marvelous.”  That’s why those listening to him said “no one ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46).  Today we have his counsel available to us in the Scriptures.

Mighty God,

The name of this baby will be “Mighty God.”  The God who created everything, who has always existed with no beginning, would be born as a baby.  Let the wonder of this capture your heart.  God would be born, here on earth, as a baby.

Everlasting Father,

Jesus’ love, care, protection, and provision is like that of the perfect father.  And he will be like a perfect father to us now and forever.

Prince of Peace.

There exists a Prince, whose rule is so powerful, so wise, and so good, that when we trust his rule we will have perfect peace (Isaiah 26:13).  As an act of worship, bring every worry you carry, and entrust it to him.  As you do that, the Holy Spirit will give you 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.

From the time he is born, his kingdom of justice and righteousness will never stop increasing.  Everything else will fade away; only his kingdom will last forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

God’s burning passion for his glory will accomplish every detail of this prophecy.  Count on it.

Handel’s “Messiah”

George Handel wrote his symphony “Messiah” in 24 days, and on the last page he wrote “SDG” (soli deo gloria — to God alone the glory).

Below I am including a YouTube video of his song “For Unto Us A Child Is Born.” which is based on the prophecy of Isaiah 9.

Ask God to use the music and Isaiah’s words to enable you to see and feel the wonder of Jesus’ birth.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc

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