Today's Passage: Isaiah 9-10

The beginning of this passage is no doubt talking about Jesus. God is promising relief and salvation for his people and for those who would accept his gift of grace. The six verses that describe this coming Messiah are so hopeful and sound wonderful. However, what follows it immediately describes what happens to those who go against the Lord and his ways. This contrast makes the coming Messiah appear so wonderful, which we know his is!

I love the imagery of the light in the darkness. What happened when Christ came was that those who were lost, now could find their way. Those who were trapped in darkness, now had light from which to see. Those who knew no other way than the depths of darkness, were now in the presence of a great light. Isaiah continues on to explain further this job people will experience with Christ, the coming Messiah. He describes victory in battle. He speaks of a child, a gift of grace for all who would accept, and describes him as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These descriptions spoke to the people in Isaiah's day and should speak to us now. And the final victory that the Lord wins is accomplished by his great zeal. God is so powerful that he brings all this about by his "passionate intensity." What a God we serve! Take some time to reflect on his might and on his grace today.