For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT
Lord Jesus, I cannot think of a passage more appropriate for today than this one. It promises the hope for which we long, the peace we intensely crave, and the government we desperately desire. We’re so thankful this isn’t just a passage to be read at Christmas, but a reality to be experienced every day.
Tonight, much of the world will watch the 3rd American presidential debate. The first two have raised our ire, fueled our fears, and exposed our unbelief. For quite sometime, life in our world has felt fragile and threatening; and now in our country, it feels chaotic and divided. We need you, Lord Jesus; we need you and everything you are and everything you’ve promised.
Help us really really believe that the government of the universe presently sits squarely on your shoulders. Though the fullness of your reign awaits your return, it was fully inaugurated through your resurrection. You are already King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!
As Wonderful Counselor, grant us the wisdom we need moving forward—not just with November 8th in view, but well beyond. We feel confused, pulled, and anxious. As Mighty God, help us know the most important question in front of us is not for which candidate will we vote, but what God will we trust.
As Everlasting Father, make the Father’s love palpably real to us—his compelling, settling, centering affection. As Prince of Peace, grant us a growing measure of the peace that surpasses all understanding, circumstances, and bad government. Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price of our peace that we might know you as the Prince of our Peace—now and forever.
We long for your Kingdom of “fairness and justice,” and will rest in Heaven’s passionate commitment to make it all happen, right on time. Until that Day, give us joy and courage to live and love to your glory, wherever we live and work, play and serve. So very Amen we pray, in your exalted and trustworthy name.
