Today, the verses set for reading and meditation are Isaiah 9:1-7, as follows: “Netherless, 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 honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death – a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 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. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase 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 forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
These words from Isaiah, especially the ones which I’ve highlighted in bold are really special – the last sentence completes this amazing picture of a God full of love and concern for us and He shows this by His zealous actions to bring about reconciliation. Selwyn reminds us, by looking at Paul’s words in Philippians 2:5, of ‘how our Lord went about the task of becoming the Prince of Peace.’
Selwyn’s concluding statements are excellent – something to take with us as we enter a new week: “There is no greater truth to be found anywhere in the Word of God than the truth that Jesus Christ came to end the hostility between ourselves and God and bring peace to the troubled hearts of humanity. With Christ’s love within us we can follow in His footsteps by helping to reconcile those whose relationships are wrecked and broken. Don’t let any broken relationships in your family or church remain that way. It is dishonouring to the Prince of Peace.”
It saddens me greatly at those times when talking to people in the church - they start attacking other church members because of a perceived wrong or error. I often wonder why they don’t sort the issue out with the people involve,  instead of telling everyone else about their ‘concerns’ – it saddens me, because it brings conflict and division, not love and harmony – and the community overall suffer as a consequence. To follow our Lord – means that we follow His ways and that includes having a zealous heart to bring reconciliation to all broken relationships. What do you think?
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The Prince of Peace
Today, the verses set for reading and meditation are Isaiah 9:1-7, as follows: “Netherless, 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 honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death – a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 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. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase 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 forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
These words from Isaiah, especially the ones which I’ve highlighted in bold are really special – the last sentence completes this amazing picture of a God full of love and concern for us and He shows this by His zealous actions to bring about reconciliation. Selwyn reminds us, by looking at Paul’s words in Philippians 2:5, of ‘how our Lord went about the task of becoming the Prince of Peace.’
Selwyn’s concluding statements are excellent – something to take with us as we enter a new week: “There is no greater truth to be found anywhere in the Word of God than the truth that Jesus Christ came to end the hostility between ourselves and God and bring peace to the troubled hearts of humanity. With Christ’s love within us we can follow in His footsteps by helping to reconcile those whose relationships are wrecked and broken. Don’t let any broken relationships in your family or church remain that way. It is dishonouring to the Prince of Peace.”
It saddens me greatly at those times when talking to people in the church - they start attacking other church members because of a perceived wrong or error. I often wonder why they don’t sort the issue out with the people involve,  instead of telling everyone else about their ‘concerns’ – it saddens me, because it brings conflict and division, not love and harmony – and the community overall suffer as a consequence. To follow our Lord – means that we follow His ways and that includes having a zealous heart to bring reconciliation to all broken relationships. What do you think?
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