For unto us a Child is born, Unto 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. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end . . . (Isaiah 9:6-7]
As we enter the last month of 2024, we find our nation in a mess.
We have division among ourselves like I cannot remember in my lifetime, especially politically speaking. Sadly, our recent elections bear witness to this.
The family unit of our nation is under attack and crumbling right before our eyes. We live in a society that views immorality and infidelity as a normal way of life. Deviant sexuality and lifestyles are being applauded and promoted as being “normal” and those who would believe otherwise are being called intolerant and branded as being prudes, idiots, or bigots. They are even teaching and promoting this abominable ideology to the kids in some of our schools – even at the pre-K and elementary levels!
We have those who would prosecute someone for killing certain kinds of animals, yet some of these same people don’t give a second thought to supporting those who would take the life of an innocent unborn child through abortion. Sadly, human life has lost its value and become cheap.
There are those who are pushing to do away with any reference to God or any influence from godly people in our political, educational and governmental systems. They want to do away with every reference to the only One in whom there is hope for our country — to the One upon whose principles our nation was founded.
I don’t know about you, but I am worried about my nation, but not to the point of despairing. Enough of the bad news. The good news is I know Who is still in charge and that He can and will take care of everything!
Many centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah was worried about his nation.
They were ignoring God. Their hearts were hardened. Many were acting as though God didn’t even exist. Isaiah wrote, “We have become like those of old over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name.” [Isa. 63:19]
Isaiah felt that Israel had only one hope: The invasion of God in such a dramatic fashion that no one could ignore the earthshaking event of His presence. He prayed to God: “Oh that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence . . . That the nations may tremble at Your presence!” [Isa. 64:1-2]
Did God answer Isaiah’s prayer? Not precisely as Isaiah had requested, but God did offer hope for His people. God said: “As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; and You shall be comforted in Jerusalem . . . And the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants.” [Isa. 66:13-14]
When the troubles of our world seem as insurmountable to us as the troubles Isaiah’s world did to him ---
We may wish as Isaiah did that God would “. . . rend the heavens and come down . . . that the nations may tremble at Your presence.” But God’s greatest revelation did not come in such a dramatic way. It came in the quiet birth of a little baby boy born to a common couple in a small town where no rooms were available. Yet that baby boy turned out to be the most unique person to ever walk the earth. That child was and is the only hope of the world — Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate this Christmas season, let’s remember the One who was and is the only hope of the world, and let’s share with everyone we meet how they too can receive the greatest gift that was ever given — the gift of eternal life that comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and how they can know the peace, hope, and joy that only He can give.
I pray the peace, hope, and joy of Christ be yours in this blessed Christmas season.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy and Joyous New Year!
Working Together in His Service,
Roy Pr. 3:5-6