Word Live: The Day Of 'Nevertheless'
Happy Christmas! Whatever joys or sorrows this day holds for you, thank God for the assurance that his light has dawned and will one day shine in all its splendour.
Bible passage
Isaiah 9:1–7
9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan –
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
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.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
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 Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Yesterday’s reading ended on a note of fear, gloom and utter darkness. The ‘nevertheless’ of today’s reading is like the flaring of a match in that darkness, which is touched to a candle wick, and then to another, and another (v 2). The darkness is still real, but it can never overcome that spreading, growing,
conquering flame of light.
The child has been born, the son has been given, but his total rule and reign over the earth is still a future promise, not a present reality (vs 6,7). Nevertheless, it is sure and certain. Just as the promise of his first coming was fulfilled, so will be the promise of his second coming, when his kingdom will be established with righteousness and justice for everyone, everywhere, for ever.
Christmas can be a challenging time for many, or a joyful pause in the midst of challenges. Whatever you are facing, remember that today is the day of ‘nevertheless’, the day that all of history hinges upon, the day of the coming of God-with-us.
Author
Jennie Pollock
Respond
‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ He is all these and more. Thank him for each of these names, and ask him to make his counsel, power, fatherhood and peace real to you today and throughout the coming year.
Deeper Bible study
‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today … a Saviour has been born’.1
Well, Isaiah hasn’t finished with warnings yet, but today we can take a breath as he focuses totally on the hope to come! For his readers, this was all in the future. For us, even though some of the promises have yet to come, the child is already born and fills us with light, joy, peace and hope! I’d be surprised if any reader has not heard these verses in the past few days! The world Isaiah lives in, like ours, is full of darkness – but a Child is born, a Son is given and in the darkness the Light has dawned! Today, as we look at and rejoice in the newborn child, God himself coming into our world, let’s take time to stop and focus on just who this wonderful child is, on the awesome wonder of what has happened and on the glorious knowledge of what is yet to come.
Isaiah could only speak of looking forward, but we already know the child! ‘The government will be on his shoulders’ (v 6): it is his values, his commands – summed up in the requirements to love and forgive as he has loved and forgiven – of which we need to take note, not the values of any human institution. He is a ‘Wonderful Counsellor’ (v 6): we don’t always know what to do, but we do always have one standing beside us providing advice, encouragement and support – as well as sometimes challenges! He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. Make no mistake, it is God himself who comes to us in the flesh of this new human being! He is Prince of Peace – peace not as the world gives. It may not lead to untroubled lives, but it does bring untroubled hearts and takes away fear!2
‘Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus to you be glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing – O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.’3
1 Luke 2:10,11 2 Cf John 14:27 3 Frederick Oakeley, 1802–80, from 17th-century Latin, ‘O come, all ye faithful’
Author
Mary Evans
