Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.
Message: The Messiah in History
What the Lord is Saying: One of the attacks we receive as Christians is in questioning the authority of Scripture. Often stating it is no more reliable than works of ancient mythology. As we compare, the Bible sets the events it describes in real space and real time, set in the events of world history. Its veracity depends on the events in which it describes as being true, namely that Christ raised from the dead. God stands over all of history, having decreed all that takes place according to the counsel of His will.
Prayer: God you are sovereign over all and you weave your history through our lives, in the past, present and future. You orchestrate events and you order this world. I surrender to you.
------------------------------
Isaiah 9:1-7
1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
3 You will multiply the nation,
You will increase their joy;
They will rejoice in Your presence
As with the joy of harvest,
As people rejoice when they divide the spoils.
4 For You will break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
5 For every boot of the marching warrior in the roar of battle,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.
Message: The Messiah in Prophecy
What the Lord is Saying: Prophecy and specially prophecy of the coming Messiah using language to fit one era while predicting events in another. Isaiah 9 predicts the coming child during the reign of King Hezekiah (end of 8th c, beginning of 7th). This prophecy started as David, but looked forward to a day when a king like David would rule over God's people. In Isaiah this king would possess unparalleled wisdom. He would not need advisers or counselors. He would be the Prince of Peace. He would maintain permanent peace between God and the king's loyal subjects. He would be Mighty God, Everlasting Father.
Prayer: Father, you promised a Messiah and a Messiah came and now rules over us for all of history. Thank you for your perfect plan.
------------------------------
Micah 5:2
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His times of coming forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.
Message: Bethlehem Ephrathah
What the Lord is Saying: Here is prophecy of the promised ruler of history being born in one of the humbliest of towns. Spoken during the 8th c BC. Here in history the people were favoring the rich and ignoring the poor. David was also born in Bethlehem.
Prayer: God thank you for redeeming me, people from all walks of life, but you continue to show in scripture, taking imperfect situations and people and making them great and this is an encouragement for us all because we are all imperfect.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
No comments:
Post a Comment