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Lent Day 30


Scripture Reading

Isaiah 9:6-7


Isaiah is one of my favorite prophets. His life and ministry have always been sources of encouragement for me. The first part of chapter 9 foretells the birth of a child who will bring change to Israel and the world. We could spend a day talking about each of the four names of Jesus mentioned in verse 6 but we don't have the time. Wonderful Counselor, Jesus is our counselor through all the things that we go through. When we have a really bad day at school or a fight with our parents or brother or sister he is there. When we have a really great day, Jesus is still with us. He longs for us to share our thoughts with him when things are going great in our lives and when things are not so great. Jesus is the mighty God. We can never over-emphasize the divine nature of Jesus, He is God the Son. He is strong and mighty and able to do anything if he wants to. He is also the Everlasting Father. Jesus wasn't alive for just 33 years, he was the beginning of all creation. The Prince of Peace is another name of Jesus. This means that he will one day bring ultimate peace to the world he created. Part of this means that as believers we can experience the peace of God in the midst of difficult circumstances like failing a test, losing a loved one, or feeling rejected by friends. 


These two verses give us hope in the person of Jesus. We, like Isaiah's audience, can anticipate the ultimate ruler of God over all the earth. This began when Jesus suffered and died for the sin of the world, but it will be fully realized when Christ comes back to establish the new heaven and the new earth to reign forever. 


Prayer: Father, thank you for sending the Prince of Peace into a world of turmoil for my sake. I ask that you would help me to be an instrument of your peace so that others might see the difference that you have made in my life. Amen.

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