Wednesday, December 16

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room - Part 3

Intro:
I've had all sorts of pets: cats, dogs, turtles, guinea pigs, birds, hermit crabs, blue-bellied lizards, ants and a few more.

I remember getting an ant farm in the 70s. For some reason they were the rage back them. I remember being fascinated for the first ... oh ... 30 seconds! Boring!

It was awesome to look at these little insects for a short period of time. But seriously! Who thought this up? Who'd spend money on such a thing? Clearly my parents!

Read:
Isaiah 9:1-7

1 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 honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan 2 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.

3 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.

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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 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.

Think:
This is Christmas! God came to earth. God came as a baby. He entered our world to save us from it! The Creator became a creature.

Try to imagine owning an ant farm as a kid and wanting to warn the ants that little brother was about to pour water in the farm and many would die. Imagine choosing to become an ant, enter the ant farm just so you could save them from drowning.

All analogies limp ... and the ant analogy is limping ... but think it through. Would you take the place of an ant to save ants? Would you limit yourself to such a degree to save one of them?

God did!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

He came in love to restore us to Himself. He did not come in malice or anger. He came to rescue the dark dwellers. He came to rescue to hurting. He came to rescue those who realize the world has nothing to offer.

What a wonderful counselor and a mighty God. What a peace-loving Father.

Do:
Take time to meditate on the titles for the Son of God, born in Bethlehem:
*Wonderful Counselor
*Mighty God
*Everlasting Father
*Prince of Peace

Is God speaking to you about any of these qualities today? How can you focus on one of these qualities during your Christmas celebration this month?

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

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