A Son is Given

Beaumont Community Church Family,

“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.” (Isaiah 9:6 | NIV84)

I hope that you have enjoyed the Advent Season this year as we have been focusing on anticipating God and remembering what He has done. Through the Christmas story, God seems to invite us to discover again or anew the way He has entered our story. Over 2000 years ago, the nation of Israel was anticipating something God’s Messiah to look quite different than a baby born in a barn. Even though God had sent prophets to raise their awareness of His plans for His broken and lost people – many were only looking for what they wanted from God. They were blind to what God was doing.

These days I think we are often caught up in the same blindness that the Jewish people suffered from so many years ago. We continue to look what we want God to do for us, and have a very blurry view of what He is actually doing and accomplishing. We want God to keep us safe, make us healthy, give us more opportunities to gain wealth, fix our families, change our circumstances for the better, take away our confusion… These are not wrong things to hope for unless they distract us from seeing how God is carrying out His desires in your life.

I think the words from the prophet Isaiah can help us reflect on the God who has been working around us and in us. He tells us that a child will be given to us – and this is a very special child – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Do any of these characteristics of resonate in you?

Perhaps this year you have been or are currently in a place of confusion or indecision. Do you need a Wonderful Counselor? You need more than good advice. You need someone who can bring clarity and insight that are beyond what anyone else can give. You need something wonderful – beyond comprehension. Have you experienced this from God in the past year? Reflect and see Him in your story.

Perhaps you have found yourself in a struggle that seems like a war that has pinned you into a corner and you see no way out. Whether you’ve experienced something like this in the past or present, can you see your Mighty God as a valiant soldier in the battle?  Reflect and see Him in your story.

Perhaps you have felt abandoned and alone during part of your journey this year. Wherever you’re at in your relationship with your family, God has invited you into a relationship with Him as your Everlasting Father. He’s invited you into His family so that you are never without a deep, loving, supportive connection as one of His children. How have you experienced God as a caring Father? Reflect and see Him in your story.

Perhaps the turmoil of life has stolen much of the contentment you long for. The prophet says that we’ve been given a Prince of Peace – a strong leader who will bring about, wholeness, harmony and completeness (Heb. Shalom). Isaiah says that the child will be an amazing ruler – “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end… The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:7). This Prince can even give us Peace in the midst of the storm. Have you experienced this divine-eternal peace in your life over the past year? Reflect and see Him in your story.

These qualities are found in the Messiah who is Jesus, born in that stable so many years ago. I hope that you will spend some time reflecting on how you have experienced Him throughout this past year. I believe you will see Him in your story no matter how hard or how glorious it has been. As you reflect praise Him for the way He has been, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace in your life and share these things with your family and friends as you celebrate together.

Remember, A Son is given and He’s entered into your story,

Pastor Bruce.

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