The Essential Jesus (Part 6): More Prophecies About a Saviorنموونە

Hope for the Future

PRAY: Lord, I ask that you would renew my sense of true joy as I spend time with you today.

READ: Isaiah 9:1-8

REFLECT: In these verses, Isaiah gives God's people a message of hope. They sure needed it. As we discovered in Isaiah 7, Jerusalem was being attacked by two armies. God delivered his people from that threat only to allow an even bigger one; the powerful nation of Assyria would soon attack as punishment for their sin (Isaiah 7:17; 8:6-8).

It's natural to want God to solve the problems we find ourselves in. He can and often does. But what he really cares about is helping us understand how to have a right relationship with him. Sometimes that means he allows us to go through trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes it means he allows painful experiences to expose our hidden sins. But all the time he is at work for our good (Romans 8:28).

That's why the word nevertheless is such a hopeful start to Isaiah 9. In spite of Judah's sin, and in spite of all its troubles, God was planning something good in the future. Not only would he take away their gloom and distress (v. 1) but he was also planning a future that would be wonderful in at least three ways:

• Light. God would turn the darkness into light (v. 2). In other words, he was promising an eventual deliverance from the Assyrian invasion.
• Joy. This deliverance would lead to unrestrained joy (v. 3). When God intervenes to solve our problems, it's hard not to praise him with abandon.
• The coming Messiah. Finally, this vision of the future would culminate in the birth of a child who would become a unique leader (vv. 6-7), the promised Messiah. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who delivered us from the darkness of sin and established an everlasting kingdom for those who put their trust in him.

The source of hope is not the absence of problems, as the people of God have discovered throughout the ages. Rather, it is knowing that God is there and in control no matter what happens.

APPLY: How has God used the circumstances of your life to draw you to himself?

PRAY: Heavenly Father, in spite of how things appear at times, I'm so thankful that you are in charge of this world and of my life.