The Prince of Peace By: Amy Boucher Pye
[a href="[URL]https://dzxuyknqkmi1e.cloudfront.net/odb/2021/12/odb-12-24-21.mp3[/URL]"]Click here for the Audio Message[/a]
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Isaiah 9:1–7
When John’s cold turned into pneumonia, he ended up in the hospital. At the same time, his mother was being treated for cancer a few floors above him, and he felt overwhelmed with worries about her and about his own health. Then on Christmas Eve, when the radio played the carol “O Holy Night,” John was flooded with a deep sense of God’s peace. He listened to the words about it being the night of the dear Savior’s birth: “A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” In that moment, his worries about himself and his mother vanished.
This “dear Savior” born to us, Jesus, is the “Prince of Peace,” as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He came to earth as a baby, bringing light and salvation to “those living in the land of the shadow of death” (Matthew 4:16; see Isaiah 9:2). He embodies and gives peace to those He loves, even when they face hardship and death.
There in the hospital, John experienced the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as he pondered the birth of Jesus. This encounter with God strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude as he lay in that sterile room away from his family at Christmas. May we too receive God’s gift of peace and hope.
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s peace in the midst of a difficult situation? Which aspect of God in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need today? Why?
God of peace, when I’m anxious and fretting about many things, help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The prophet Isaiah lived during the reign of four kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—around 740 years before Jesus’ birth. According to tradition, Isaiah was sawn in half, and thus many believe Hebrews 11:37 refers to him. In Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy of the coming Messiah, this child to be born (God incarnate) would be called the “Prince of Peace” (9:6). Elsewhere, Isaiah offers a glimpse of the peace He’ll bring (11:1–9; 65:25). Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will usher in this peace with His second coming and millennial reign, and “of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end” (9:7; Revelation 11:15).
Alyson Kieda
Isaiah 9:1-7
King James Version
9 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the
they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
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.
[a href="[URL]https://dzxuyknqkmi1e.cloudfront.net/odb/2021/12/odb-12-24-21.mp3[/URL]"]Click here for the Audio Message[/a]
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Isaiah 9:1–7
When John’s cold turned into pneumonia, he ended up in the hospital. At the same time, his mother was being treated for cancer a few floors above him, and he felt overwhelmed with worries about her and about his own health. Then on Christmas Eve, when the radio played the carol “O Holy Night,” John was flooded with a deep sense of God’s peace. He listened to the words about it being the night of the dear Savior’s birth: “A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” In that moment, his worries about himself and his mother vanished.
This “dear Savior” born to us, Jesus, is the “Prince of Peace,” as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He came to earth as a baby, bringing light and salvation to “those living in the land of the shadow of death” (Matthew 4:16; see Isaiah 9:2). He embodies and gives peace to those He loves, even when they face hardship and death.
There in the hospital, John experienced the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as he pondered the birth of Jesus. This encounter with God strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude as he lay in that sterile room away from his family at Christmas. May we too receive God’s gift of peace and hope.
Reflect & Pray
How have you experienced God’s peace in the midst of a difficult situation? Which aspect of God in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need today? Why?
God of peace, when I’m anxious and fretting about many things, help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The prophet Isaiah lived during the reign of four kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—around 740 years before Jesus’ birth. According to tradition, Isaiah was sawn in half, and thus many believe Hebrews 11:37 refers to him. In Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy of the coming Messiah, this child to be born (God incarnate) would be called the “Prince of Peace” (9:6). Elsewhere, Isaiah offers a glimpse of the peace He’ll bring (11:1–9; 65:25). Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will usher in this peace with His second coming and millennial reign, and “of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end” (9:7; Revelation 11:15).
Alyson Kieda
Isaiah 9:1-7
King James Version
9 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the
they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
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.
