Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Monday, December 13, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy! Thank You for sending the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. I pray in this moment that You will fulfill this prophecy completely, by giving Jesus complete reign on the earth. Let Your will be done, Your kingdom come on earth as it is right now in heaven. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
(Since the focus of worship Dec. 12, is the Children’s Program “Cradle to Crowns,” the Scripture readings this week will come from the program. We will expand on each of the Scriptures and invest a couple days to examining each!
Isaiah 9:6-7
6For 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. 7His 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!
Psalm 149:1-4
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
4 For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Revelation 4:9-11
9Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
Reflecting on God's Word
What do you think is the most significant “title” a human being can receive?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What titles does Isaiah say the child will have? (9:6)
What kind of titles does Isaiah say these are? (9:6)
Understanding God's Word
Which of the Messiah’s titles do you see as the most significant? Why?
What do we learn about God from this passage of Scripture?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What one thing will you do as a result of having read today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…
I asked, “Which of the Messiah’s titles do you see as the most significant?” It’s a tough question, isn’t it? After all, is it more significant to be a “wonderful” counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, or Prince of Peace? Each of the titles is worthy of absolute respect. Jesus proved during His ministry on earth that He was, indeed, a wonderful counselor. He got right to the heart of the human “condition,” when He told us that sin is our problem and that He is the only solution. Jesus demonstrated that He is, indeed, God by walking on water, healing the sick, raising the dead and many other signs and wonders. That Jesus is the Everlasting Father is more difficult to see in the Gospels—except when Jesus reminds us, “The Father and I are one.” The last title, Prince of Peace is the most challenging since at this point Jesus HAS brought lasting inner peace to His followers, but the outward peace of a world ruler has not yet been established. We wait. We prepare, because we know that one day Jesus WILL fulfill this prophecy as He has all the others about Him!