A Child for Such a Time as This

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The Bible points us to someone, the solution for the problem of the world. We say problems, plural, but it all boils down to one problem–sin.  The solution is a child whose name is singular. Although the word name is used, several names are listed. A sin is enough to send a person to hell. You may not have murdered anyone but if you have you can be forgiven. Sin condemns the soul. Sin is the wrong choice. Not believing Jesus is God’s son and that he is Savior is sin. Everything about God is wrapped up in this name: Jesus. He’s called the Christ; the Way, the Truth, the Life; the Resurrection and the Life; and the Light of the World. The list goes on and on. He’s Immanuel: God with us as he bridges heaven and earth. Each name is 100% him and this is not a complete list. Even if it was, it would be enough.

If Wonderful is all, it is enough. There is nothing wonderful in us. Without Jesus there there is nothing Wonderful, but with him life is Wonderful! He releases us from sin and misery because he is Wonderful. Only Jesus can make Christmas merry. The only lasting, soul-felt happiness is in Jesus Christ. Because he’s Counsellor he will guide us into truth. You can’t trust too much but you can trust Jesus. I can look at you and say you look wonderful. Jesus is not A or The. He’s just Wonderful, Counsellor and on and on. The only God that exists is him. There’s no true peace without the Prince of Peace. Jesus can put Peace in us. Call on his name and he’ll put your mind and soul at rest. For such a time as this God sent a child. A helpless child. What can a child do? He put fear in the heart of King Herod. He put wonder in the hearts of the magi that made them leave their homes searching for him. Once they found him, they worshipped him and gave him gifts. He brought shepherds from the fields.

The first five verses of Isaiah 9 are quite depressing. Things were bad. News is bad today. Times won’t get better. There is no satisfaction in the world. Before I was saved, my life was in ruins. I could only really live after I turned my life over to the Lord. I can make it. God is good to us. We’re in such a time of darkness. One verse says many lived in the valley of the shadow of death. How could they keep going? They saw a great light. It doesn’t come from man. It came from a baby. He was and is the Son of God. He suffered on the cross in our place. He laid down in a borrowed tomb that should have been ours. He arose on Easter morning and we have a living Savior. Because we’ve trusted him we can continue on. He’s the hope of the ages. He’s the answer for such a time as this. His name is as is. People try to water it down. They use it as a curse word. It doesn’t matter how insulted, his name remains as is: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Nothing can separate us from that Peace. With our hand in Jesus’ we experience the Peace. I’ve seen it in others as Jesus comes into their heart. In the midst of trials we can have it. We don’t have to let things get to us. Keep trusting the Everlasting Father. With him, there is order to life because it is on his shoulders. Trust Jesus for the chaos to be put aside with his governing power. Our nation has become practically godless. I still want to be governed by God. He’s just. He can make today make sense and bring hope for tomorrow. All this is in a person, one person. His name is Jesus.

Will it work? Will it help me? Sure! Don’t worry how you’ll make it. Turn yourself over to the Lord. When you do he takes control. He will do what he has promised. We have the best: a child born of a virgin, a Son given by the Father to be our Savior and brother. He stepped in front of us and took our punishment. His name is Jesus.

For such a time as this–your time–he’s here.