MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I took a few minutes, this Christmas Eve, to spend some time reflecting on Jesus. As I have mentioned, I have been overtaken by the fact that we are celebrating the Christ child, while our focus is on so many other things. Therefore, for me…I have chosen to set my heart upon Him. To rejoice in Him and to allow my heart to be captivated by Him alone.

Isa 9:2-6
2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
(John 1:9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.-Jesus)
4 For Thou shalt break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isa 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

I have been soaking in these Scriptures today. In fact, I could hear the Father whisper them over my heart while I was at church. I couldn’t remember WHERE they were found and had to come home and look it up so I could meditate upon them. Isaiah tells us that the people walking in darkness will see a great light and John affirms that Light to be Jesus.

This child, Jesus, born to the virgin, will be called Wonderful Counselor-meaning a marvelous thing, a miracle, something to marvel at, a divine guide and purpose. Mighty God-the championed, almighty. Eternal Father-a perpetual, continual, everlasting DADDY. Prince of peace-the steward of reconciliation, of the covenant relationship, the friendship. Immanuel-God with us.

This Jesus…..a marvel of God, to guide us in His divine purpose was sent to be our champion over sin, to bring us out of darkness into the Light so that He could be our Abba, our Daddy. He is our peace, our justification, our reconciliation, our lamb that established Covenant, allowing us to pass through the pieces of flesh and enter into a friendship with God. And if that is not enough….He is GOD with us, in us, for us, through us.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the COMING of JESUS to be GOD WITH US. How can we be drawn aside or distracted by lesser things or distractions? But we are….and so Isaiah makes a statement that absolutely blows my mind!

For Thou shalt break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

Isaiah explains that these people who have seen the Light (Jesus) will rejoice because He will break the yoke of their burden and the rod of their oppressor-as at Midian.
God used Gideon to deliver Israel from the oppression and slavery of the Midianites. He used ONE man to break the yoke and the rod of those who enslaved and oppressed His people.

Wow….and then Isaiah says that this is what Jesus does for us. He is the breaker of the yoke of slavery and the rod of oppression. He is what can free us from distractions and lesser things-if we set out hearts on Him.

I am sure many of us are facing oppression, trials, slavery and yokes of bondage. I am confident that the enemy has us convinced that there is no way out or that it is something we must learn to deal with. Many of us have settled for life under the rule of another. Many of us have learned to “survive”….but tomorrow….tomorrow we CELEBRATE, we rejoice because the ONE who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Immanuel, has come to deliver us from that which enslaves us. He has come and when He shows up in our worlds-it will be captivating and devastating all in the same moment. We will be Captivated by His greatness and devastated by His grace. We will be Captivated by His Love and devastated by His mercy. We will be Captivated by His compassion and yet devastated by the change He will require and perform in us.

Tomorrow should be a day….of rejoicing in a God who delivers-who captivates and devastates. Claim that truth, run after it, harass God with it….and celebrate it.
He is our peace. He is our Covenant Sacrifice. He is our deliverer. He is the Beginning and End. He is Tabernacle. He is the Law giver. He is the judge. He is our Kinsman Redeemer. He is our Strong Tower. He is our Shepherd. He is our King. He is the Word. He is our Wall. He is our song. He is our Bridegroom. He is our Priest. He is our Prophet. He is our Future and our Hope. He is the Word made flesh. He is our redemption. He is our friend. He is our soon and coming Daddy. He is….

What does tomorrow hold….the promise of deliverance and the soon and coming King.

ALL FOR YOU