Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, What Can We Find?
I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂
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Recap
Last week we spent some time in Isaiah 7 that recorded the prophecy, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”
In view of this prophecy, we now move to Isaiah 9 where we will discuss some more prophecies that point to the person of Jesus and what we can find when we have a relationship with Him. Isaiah writes…
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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—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.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.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.Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.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.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.
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Even though this passage was written some 700 years before the time of Christ, it speaks precisely to the work of Jesus when He came to this world. In this prophetic work that Jesus accomplished, there are several benefits we can find as we live for Him.
1. In Christ we can find hope—v1
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—
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Zebulun and Naphtali were tribes from the north of Israel, making up the land of Galilee. For many years the people in this region knew only grief because of the constant attacks from their enemies. These attacks were allowed by God as a result of their sins. Since they lived closest to the enemy, they were the first ones attacked.
In this passage, Isaiah tells of a time in the future where gloom will be replaced with gladness in Galilee. A time was coming in which they could place their hope. Plus, don’t miss the fact that the ministry of Jesus was grounded in Galilee.
If fact, the Christmas season was birthed in the midst of hardship. Remember, while the angels were proclaiming “peace on earth,” King Herod was preparing to annihilate infants. While Mary was worshipping, other mothers were weeping because of the deaths of their children. Isaiah prophesied this in Isaiah 31.15…
“A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
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The Hope of Christmas is best understood with the hardships of life all around us. Jesus faced hardships throughout His ministry, yet He withstood them all. In overcoming all that was thrown upon Him, we now can have hope. It is in the hardships that we can celebrate the hope we have in Christ.
Along with hope…
2. In Christ we can find rest—v2-4
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.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.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.
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As stated before, during Isaiah’s time, this region faced many hardships. Once again, Isaiah writes of what is to come. Even though they were “walking in darkness,” a “great light” was soon to come.
One thing that was going to happen when this light came was that the yoke of burdens and the rod of oppression was going to be removed. After all of their years of hardships, there was the hope in finding rest. This is the same rest we can all receive through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus speaks of this rest in Matthew 11.28-30…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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If we are dealing with hardships today, if we are facing the pressures of life, know that in Christ we can find the rest we need.
Along with hope and rest…
3. In Christ we can find help—v6
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.
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Once again, this prophecy that was written some 700 years before its fulfillment was spot on as to the person of Jesus.
Isaiah begins with “For to us.” In other words, for our benefit… and His! When Jesus came to this world, He came to save us from our sins, but He also came so that He could gain brothers and sisters, and His bride.
This prophecy speaks to the humanity of Jesus when it states, “a child is born.” Jesus came into this world in human form as a baby. At the same time, His birth revealed the deity of Jesus as God’s Son when Isaiah writes “to us a son is given.”
Not only was Jesus going to be fully man and fully God, we are also told that “the government will be on his shoulders.” The truth of this statement, that He is in control of all things. In our world, we may want to control who our political leaders are, but ultimately it is Jesus upon whom all the government is seated.
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We can find help in Christ as the One who fulfilled these prophecies, but more so when we consider a few of His attributes when Isaiah speaks to what “he will be called.”
We are told that Jesus will be called “Wonderful Counselor.” So, we can go to Him with all of our needs to find direction.
He is the “Mighty God.” Because of this, we can trust in Him because He is so much more than a baby in a manger. He is the God of all creation.
He is the “Everlasting Father.” We can call on Him as the perfect Fatherly figure. Even if we didn’t have the best experience with our own fathers, in Christ we can find the Father figure we most desperately need.
Jesus is also the “Prince of Peace.” It is in Him that we can find complete peace no matter what we may be facing. Like the people who first heard this prophecy, even though they were facing many hardships, there was hope that they could still find peace through this gift from God.
Along with hope, rest, and help…
4. In Christ we can find life.
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.
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We may not realize it in our day-to-day lives, but Jesus is on the throne. He is in control. His rule will never end. He will reign over His kingdom, and over us, forever and ever.
Because of His life and work, we will receive life everlasting. We will get to experience His life forever and ever. This life begins now, while on this earth, but will continue on throughout all of eternity. In this life, we will be with Him forever, IF He is our Lord and Savior.
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So, what are we looking for this Christmas season?
What are we in need of as we celebrate the birth of Christ?
Are we in need of hope in today and the future?
Would we benefit in finding a rest that only He can provide?
Are there areas in our lives when we have a need in which only He can truly help?
Are we desiring a life that is beyond the life we are currently living?
Even in the hustle and bustle of the season, and life in general, know that it is in Christ that we can find all that we need for this life and the next!
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Have a Great Day!