“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:1-7
God’s encouragement…
PEACE is the theme for the second week in the season of Advent. Pastor Peregoy at Our Father Lutheran Church preached on the text from Isaiah, sharing how Jesus brings us peace with others (outward), within ourselves (inward), and with God (upward).
The outward peace that Jesus brings us with others can happen when we refrain from comparing others to our standards and when we can be open with others—even about our flaws.
The inward peace that Jesus brings comes from Him, a child born in a manger, a child that needed to be taken care of by others. When we leave our lives in His hand—which is the hand of God—when we trust Him, we can have peace.
The upward peace we have with God is something that He gives to us. It is NOT something we can go out and get for ourselves. As Isaiah prophesied, “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this! Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end…” Zeal is an abundance of devotion. The Lord has this for each of us!
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To learn more about my journey with God, visit these pages: Robin’s Journey for an overview | my first season: Baptized and Taught | my second season: Loss & Lost | my third season: Pursued & Awakened | my fourth season: Welcomed & Transforming | my fifth season: Proclaiming
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Image: water color background by Robin Lybeck
