God's Word for Me Today
Monday, December 3, 2001
Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of our worship and praise, for You are the one true God of the universe. Through Your prophet Isaiah You promised to come to the world in the form of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is to us both Savior and Lord. We thank You for the reality of the Messiah, Jesus, who is to us Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. His name is above every name in heaven and on earth and above the earth. Therefore, I offer Him all glory and honor, thanksgiving and praise. As I come to Your Word again this day, fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may both understand and live the truth You reveal to me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
God's Word for Me Today: Isaiah 9:1-7
1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will soon be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. 3 Israel will again be great, and its people will rejoice as people rejoice at harvest time. They will shout with joy like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For God will break the chains that bind his people and the whip that scourges them, just as he did when he destroyed the army of Midian with Gideon's little band. 5 In that day of peace, battle gear will no longer be issued. Never again will uniforms be bloodstained by war. All such equipment will be burned. 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!
Questions for Reflection
What would the world look like if it enjoyed the peace promised in today’s Scripture reading?
How is God’s timing different from our timing?
Of all the names of Jesus, which is your favorite? Why?
Questions for Exploration
What promises are found in this text? (9:1-7)
What role does light play in this text? (9:2)
What will be the impact of the light coming to the people who lived in darkness? (9:3-7)
Questions for Understanding
How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah?
Which portions of this passage remain for Jesus to fulfill?
Questions for Application
Choose one of the names of Jesus in today’s reading and meditate on it today. As you go about your day, let that reality of Jesus be your focus.
The light of Jesus has already shined on “Galilee of the Gentiles.” Pray for the Light of Jesus to shine today in your home, school, workplace, wherever God calls you to pray for it to be spread. Commit to letting the light shine through you in you words and actions!
A Light Has Dawned!
Much of the prophecy we just read from Isaiah has been fulfilled. Galilee of the Gentiles was filled with Glory. Jesus grew up in Nazareth of Galilee. He started His ministry in Galilee. He called His first followers there, and did many miracles there. The light dawned on the people who had walked in darkness—the darkness of sin and death. And yet, there is still much darkness. Sin still permeates our world. Much territory is yet to be claimed for Jesus Christ. While the light has dawned, there is still a great need for the dawn to come, for the light to shine throughout our world. 2,000 years after Jesus came to fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah, there are still places on this planet where folks don’t even know that Jesus exists. These “unreached people groups” are the prime folks for missionaries such as Mark Geppert. While we live in a land of some darkness, we have also been exposed to the light. Around the world there are places where the light has not yet dawned.
Please pray during this Christmas season that the light of Jesus, which we enjoy abundantly and freely, would shine throughout the whole world. At New Life we’re always praying for missionaries and seeking ways that we can partner with them and support them to God’s glory and for the light to dawn to the ends of the earth. Let us all pray that the light will dawn to the ends of the earth. As we draw to the end of another year of life, let us stop and consider how effectively our lives are spreading the light of Jesus in our homes, schools, workplaces, communities and world. Let us renew our commitment to seeing that the light of Jesus “dawns” everywhere. Remember, there is no light of Jesus in the world except the light His followers reflect on one another and to the world. As we do our Christmas shopping, decorating, traveling, and celebrating, let’s do it in such a way that all those around us, who don’t yet know Jesus, we see His light in us and have the light dawn in their lives. That’s why we’re here! That’s why we celebrate this Christmas season—to share the Good News of the light of the world, Jesus, and to let everyone know that His light HAS dawned!
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