“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.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Prophecies – the Bible is full of them! (“Duh! That’s obvious!” I can hear someone saying.)
Prophecy can include elements of foretelling, i.e. what’s going to take place in the future; or forthtelling, i.e. proclaiming or speaking forth the truth (in essence, all preachers of God’s word are forthtellers – declaring the truth of God’s word.
The confines of this devotion don’t allow me to delve into the types of prophecies nor number of them, however, given it is Advent, I’d like to stop on one Messianic prophecy in particular – that which was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6:
“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.” (Isaiah 9:6)
His Name Is Wonderful!
Wonderful means to be full of wonder! The picture we get is of us staring in awe and amazement at that which is before us.
We cannot understand it, or comprehend it, but we stare in utter amazement and wonder. That’s the name of the One in Whom the hope of every man, woman and child rests.
The Magi/wise men saw the light in the eastern skies – they could not understand it, but they looked on with great wonder;
When the shepherds in the field were surrounded by a great light, and the angels brought them the message of hope, they could not understand it, but they were filled with wonder;
Friends, as we stand on the brink of another Christmas - and reflect on the coming of our Saviour, as a baby, we certainly cannot understand the mystery of the incarnation; how the Son of God, God Himself, the Creator of the universe, stepped from eternity into time, clothing himself with human flesh. But O, as we pause to ponder again this year, may our hearts be filled afresh with hope and wonder, as we reflect on the One Who’s Name is Wonderful!
His Name Is Counsellor
Christmas is a time when the world goes into top-gear. Malls become busier. Roads become hectic with holiday travellers. While this busyness and excitement exists –this period is also one of the loneliest and saddest for many.
This season reminds many of the losses they incurred.
Many are reminded of the way things used to be, but are no longer the same.
Many are reminded of plans that didn’t materialise.
Broken dreams. Shattered hopes.
Indeed it is a time of depression, stress, gloom and doom.
Perhaps that is you, Dear Friend. It seems this is the first time in a long time that you can just sit and catch your breath. It’s been a tough year, and you are depleted, devastated and drained.
May I refer you to the One Who offers hope and peace, Who is hope and peace. The Counsellor who knows you better than you know yourself, our Lord Jesus.
His Name Is Mighty God
As humankind, we have chosen to reject God, turn our backs on Him – yet that same God offers all mankind hope.
Sin held the world in a deathly grip.
The enemy was killing, robbing, destroying.
We could not fight the battle and win.
The more we tried, the greater the guilt, shame and condemnation.
But there is hope, a child born unto us
His Name is mighty God.
He would champion our cause.
He would fight on our behalf.
He would conquer death , hell and the grave!
His Name Is Everlasting Father
Amidst the constant challenges and changes of life, there comes a voice of hope which resounds through the corridors of time and eternity.
His name shall be called everlasting father!
Christ of eternity would step out of eternity into time!
He is the Alpha and Omega
He has no beginning, but He is the Beginning!
He has no ending, but He is the End!
From everlasting to everlasting He is the same.
His Name Is Prince Of Peace
These words of hope given by Isaiah, was against a backdrop of war, pillaging and strife. Kings and princes were often associated with military might and warfare.
But here, God’s people get to hear of a different Prince,
A prince not born in an ornate palace, but One born in a lowly stable.
A prince not infamous for showing how great and mighty He is by lording it over others; instead one Who came not to be served but to serve.
A Prince who did not sit on lofty earthly thrones but the only earthly throne he knew was the throne of the cross.
The only princely crown He wore, was a crown of thorns.
A prince whose message and life would be that of peace.
What good news – mankind Who is at enmity with God, now can be reconciled to God because of the peace effected by the Prince of peace.
Friends, this Christmas, may we hear the promise spoken, the word of hope declared, that there will be no more gloom, our weeping will be turned to dancing; our sorrow will be turned to joy.
Prayer
Thank you for words spoken through prophets of old,
Foretellings, forthtellings of words accurate and true;
Most of all, thank you for those promises made,
Of a Saviour that would provide a way back to You.