Almighty and Zealous

Isaiah 9:2-7  

Meditation and Devotional from David Niednagel, Pastor/Teacher, Evansville, IN.  (David uses the S.O.A.P. method for his morning devotional:  study, observe, apply, pray.  (Friends: David’s recent morning study has been to focus on passages in the Old Testament that proclaim that God would establish His King and Kingdom in the earth.  That God would send a Messiah.  Jesus is that promised Messiah.  We will continue to follow David on this subject.)

This passage was written about 300 years after the one in 2 Samuel 7 that I sent two days ago. After David was king, and then his son, Solomon, his kingdom was divided and at this point the Assyrians were about to destroy the Northern Kingdom.

9:2   The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

9:3   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….

9:6   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.

9.7   Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne … with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 

How much joy would there be if someone had lived in darkness (blindness?) and could now clearly see? How much joy is there when soldiers divide the plunder at the end of a battle? – A battle of hand to hand combat with swords, and death everywhere? Going into the battle no one knows who will live or which side will win, but everyone knows even the greatest warrior could easily be killed. The joy of victory at the end of the battle may be mixed with exhaustion and sadness, but there is life and hope for the future. Isaiah promised Israel that kind of joy when Yahweh sends the Messiah that was promised to David.

He would be a supreme ruler, with wisdom, power, and He would bring peace – a government that would never end or be overthrown by another. That is a great promise, but how did he/they/we know it would happen? Because the Almighty God was ZEALOUS to make it happen! What is the result of an ALMIGHTY God being zealous about anything? It is certain to happen!!! 

Almighty God, our world is full of darkness, sin, and suffering. It looks like the enemy is winning as he destroys lives all around us. We get discouraged. But You have promised that You are ALMIGHTY and You are ZEALOUS to make this happen. You kept Your promises about the first coming of the Messiah, and about His resurrection from the dead, so we have confidence to believe You will keep this promise too. Lord, we want You to come quickly, but we know most of the world has still not heard about the first coming of the Messiah to provide our salvation, so help me and ALL believers to be zealous to declare what You have already done, and the need to repent and believe in You before You come again in judgment on this dark world. But we do long for Your appearing in Light! Amen