2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Thursday, 2 January 2014 "A PROMISE KEPT - Ninth Day of Christmas" Read Isaiah The Righteous Reign of the Coming King 9

2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Thursday, 2 January 2014 "A PROMISE KEPT - Ninth Day of Christmas"

Read Isaiah The Righteous Reign of the Coming King

9: [a] But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 [b] The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

    on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as people exult when dividing plunder.

4 For the yoke of their burden,

    and the bar across their shoulders,

    the rod of their oppressor,

    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors

    and all the garments rolled in blood

    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For a child has been born for us,

    a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

    and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Footnotes:

a. Isaiah 9:1 Ch 8.23 in Heb

b. Isaiah 9:2 Ch 9.1 in Heb. TEXT: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder (see Isaiah 9:6).

John's Gospel clearly shows us the Child of Christmas is both God and human. His advent was promised centuries earlier in the Garden of Eden. There God announced the woman's Seed would crush the serpent's head (see Genesis 3:15). He promised Abraham his Offspring would be a blessing to all nations (see Genesis 12:3). He told King David one of his descendants would sit on His throne and rule Israel forever (see 2 Samuel 7: 12-16). In the remaining days of this Christmas season, we will look at two more Old Testament prophets: Isaiah and Micah. They will tell us even more about the Babe of Bethlehem.

The first thing Isaiah reveals in chapter nine is that this Child, this Son, will carry the nation upon His shoulder. Indeed, one day He will lift a cross to His shoulder and carry the sins of the world.

The fact the almighty Son of God became human is a mighty wonder and miracle all by itself, but He also gives us foolproof counsel to escape God's wrath.

He is the Mighty God, the powerful Son who will conquer all our enemies, especially Satan, sin, death and hell.

Jesus is also an eternal father to us, protecting us from our enemies, providing all our needs, and teaching us how to live.

And Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the Son of our Heavenly Father and King. He has won peace for all by taking our sins upon Himself and suffering the penalty we deserve.

That mighty sacrifice will be the subject of our Lenten/Easter devotions beginning in March.

THE PRAYER: Holy Lord Jesus, You came to free us from sin, death and hell. Receive our thanks and praise now and forever. Amen.

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Mail:

Lutheran Hour Ministries

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive

St. Louis, MO 63141 United States

Telephone: (800)876-9880

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