God told Isaiah that his ministry would be one of fruitless warnings and exhortation. In other words: You are going to say some amazing things, but no one will pay attention to you. But take heart - one day these words will change the world!

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

-Isaiah 9:1-7

Lesson One: God prefers to work through unexpected people and places

Jesus had none of the markers that the world looks for that we define as success.

The world in general does not recognize greatness when it sees it.

God loves to bring greatness, power, salvation into your life through ways that you would never expect. God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the weak, the weak things of the world to shame the strong, the lowly things of the world, even the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are (1 Corinthians 1:28).

Lesson Two: God works through unexpected means

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

-Isaiah 9:2

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

-John 1:9-10

The Bible word for darkness refers to three primary things

The world is dark in that it is filled with evil and untold suffering.

The world is dark in that it is also ignorant.

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

-Isaiah 8:19-22

Don't you see what is happening?

Humanity often looks toward the earth and to human resources to fix the world.

Here are Vaclav Havel's conclusions:

What will save us? A turning to and seeking of God. The human race constantly forgets he is not God.

Humanity cannot save itself. The belief that we can save ourselves, that some political system or ideology can fix human problems, has only led to more darkness.

-Vaclav Havel

What is the answer then?

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

-Isaiah 9:2

What is that light?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

-John 1:1, 4, 5

The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose. When Cain sinned, his guilt disconnected him from God's presence, and God said, 'You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.' That describes most people today, wandering through life without a purpose. Without a clear purpose, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, or other externals - hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. You think, maybe this time it will be different, but it doesn't solve your real problem - a lack of focus and purpose. Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources. You will tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures, and your mood at that moment. We were made to have meaning. This is why people try dubious methods, like astrology or psychics, to discover it. When life has meaning, you can bear almost anything; without it, nothing is bearable.

-Rick Warren || The Purpose Driven Life

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

-Isaiah 9:6-7

The message the Prophet Isaiah sends is:

1. God cares about the plight of Humanity!

The incarnation means that for whatever reason God chose to allow us to fall into a condition of suffering, sorrows, and death, He nonetheless had the honesty and courage to take His own medicine. He himself has gone through the whole of human experience from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair and death. He was born in poverty and suffered infinite pain all for us and thought it well worth His while.

-Dorothy Sayers

2. God is able!

The power of the higher just insofar as it is truly higher, can come down to include the lesser. Everywhere the great enters the little, it’s power to do so is almost the test of its greatness. We can become kittenish with our kittens, but your kitten will never discuss philosophy with you. When I am at peace in joy, I can enter into the hurt of someone who is angry and despondent but when I am angry and despondent I cannot enter into someone else’s joy and peace. Why? Because joy and peace are higher, greater. That’s why Lincoln can understand Hitler, but Hitler can never understand Lincoln. Why? Because Lincoln is greater. How do you know something is really high and really great? It can come down. It can enter into the lesser. It can sympathize, empathize and humble itself. You are strong enough to be weak. You are secure enough to be vulnerable.

-C.S. Lewis

The Clincher becomes a verse we often ignore:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

-Isaiah 9:6

What does that mean?

1. Yes—because God cares and because He is able, America’s road to redemption and restoration is to invite God back into its culture and foundations.

2. Yes—one day—in the New City Jerusalem, Christ will enter into the Holy of Holies and take His rightful place—governing His people with love and power.

God loves to bring greatness, power, salvation into your life through ways that you would never expect.

Jesus was born in the manger so that you might know the reason you were born!

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me. I cannot choose the colors He weaves steadily. Oft’ times He weaves sorrow; and I in foolish pride, forget He sees the upper and I the underside. Not ’til the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly, will God unroll the canvas and reveal the reason why. The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. He knows, He loves, He cares; nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him.

-Corrie ten Boom

He loves. He cares. Your life is on his shoulders.

He assumes responsibility to make your light shine!

That you may push back the darkness all around you.

The governing of your life is on His shoulders.

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