12/13/2025
Day 11: Let’s jump another 100 years in Israel’s timeline to the prophet Isaiah. He was a prophet approximately 700 years after Moses and 700 years before Christ.¹ Scattered throughout his prophecies are prophecies specific to the Messiah. The foretelling of Christ’s birth and death are included in the book of Isaiah. You may be familiar with some of the passages, particularly Isaiah 9, as the words are often quoted and sung this time of year.
Isaiah 9:1-7:
“But there will be no gloom for her who was 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 has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shown.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of 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.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Gloom, anguish, darkness, words that represent seasons of life and what the world is like without Christ. But there is so much hope revealed in this passage! A great light, joy, oppression broken, unending peace, justice, and righteousness. All of this sings hope!
The beauty is that God did all of this because he is for us. He is given to us. Someone else’s son was given to us and for us. We have the opportunity to treasure him or reject him.
This child is a special child. He can uphold governments - he’s certainly more powerful than governments. He is so great that one name is not sufficient to describe who he is.
He is the Wonderful Counselor - you don’t go into spiritual war without him. He has wisdom beyond what we could ever fully have ourselves.
He is the Mighty God. A child, a mighty God? How can one so small be so mighty? I think it shows just how great is the power of Jesus that he would purposely limit himself by taking on human form to come into this world. Do you know of any other power that would limit itself on purpose in order to accomplish the most powerful thing on earth - conquering death?
He is the Everlasting Father. This child, a father? The Father of all creation. The One who came to save his creation through sacrificing himself.
He is the Prince of Peace. He is the definition of peace, the One we look to for peace, the One who provided ultimate peace between us and God.
And he is Immanuel, God with us. Not against us, but with us. The God of the universe who we shouldn’t be able to see or touch, literally came in such a humble form among us so we could see and touch him. So we could connect to our Creator.
In what way do you need to know God today? Do you need to know him as your Wonderful Counselor? He isn’t going to mislead you. He loves to give wisdom to his children.
Do you need to know him as Mighty God, able to conquer the monumental weights you are carrying?
Do you need to know him as Father, able to comfort and love you well?
Do you need to know him as Prince of Peace, able to rule the unsteadiness in your soul?
Do you need to know him as Immanuel, God with you, very near, very present?
Perhaps you need to know him in all of these ways. It is good to need him. It doesn’t make you negatively needy. It makes you dependent on the saving God of the universe, the One who cares for you enough to redeem you and provide his son for you.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for providing yourself to us through your Son, Jesus. Thank you that we can come to you in full neediness and brokenness and receive comfort and peace from you. Thank you for being our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. There is no end to you and we are grateful. Help us to walk in the assurance of who you are and what you have done for us. We love you, Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Questions for Reflection:
How do you need to know God today?
Can you remember specific times when you have known God by any of these names?
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