Prince of Peace
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Isaiah 9:6-7
6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 7. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon 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 for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Yesterday I shared with you my “prayer burden.” By this morning I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, as the news on television continues to report local, national and international tragedies. Corruption and greed run rampant. Arrogance and self-righteousness on the part of powerful and influential people seems to be the order of the day. And each day , inaction, self-involvement and self-aggrandizing is the rule, rather than the exception. But I can’t pray all day long ! I have a job, and groceries to buy, and errands to run and laundry to fold . . .
And then I am led to Isaiah. Just as I begin to fall into the trap of thinking I and I alone must be the one to change the world. My natural care-taking instincts have run on overdrive--and I fall into the trap which I bemoan of “the world!“ Oh foolish me! Then I am reminded that one has already come who takes care of the whole world -- even when it doesn’t seem as if He’s present -- He is! He always has been! And I am greatly relieved to know that my burden is not mine alone, but that my obedience helps to “unlock” the power of good and righteousness into the world!
My bible notes discuss the various names of Christ, at this point, still to come. It explains that each of the four names of the Messiah consists of two elements. These titles were not like normal Old Testament personal names. “’Counselor’ points to the Messiah as a king who determines upon and carries out a program of action. As Wonderful Counselor, the coming Son of David will carry out a royal program that will cause all the world to marvel. Mighty God. His divine power as a warrior is stressed. Everlasting Father. He will be an enduring, compassionate provider and protector. Prince of Peace. His rule will bring wholeness and well-being to individuals and to society.”
God’s zeal -- his active, vibrant, undeniable love for us is what will save us -- he cannot abandon us! He just can’t stand the thought of leaving us alone! After all He sent His son to die for us -- to atone for our insolence and arrogance, to erase the stain of all our sins, to tell us, once and for all time, that no matter what, God will never stop loving us. So kings may rise to power, and moguls may take over yet another past competitor, and wars may rage, and when we look around our world it may seem as if we have been abandoned. But we are not alone! And we never will be! Did my obedient prayers change one single headline on the morning news? I’ll never know! But I know my heart is a bit more steadfast this morning! I know I feel comforted and uplifted by the love my Heavenly Father extends to me when I seek Him out.
I hope today you lift a prayer to the Prince of Peace. His rule will bring wholeness and well-being to individuals and to society. And that you rejoice at the thought of an all-powerful, enduring, compassionate provider and protector of the faithful in this world.
Mary
