Isaiah speaks, prophetically, of the birth of our
Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is also known as “Immanuel” (“God is with
us”) (Isaiah 7:14). “God is with us” - These words are spoken to God’s
people in every situation of our life (Isaiah 8:10). Isaiah’s prophetic
message concerns the transformation which brings “glory”, where there is
“gloom”: “But there will be no more gloom ... But in the future He will
bring glory” (Isaiah 9:1). This “glory” comes through our “Wonderful”
Saviour, who is the “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). In Him, we have “peace”,
“wise counsel” and “everlasting” life. Praise God! To Him be the glory!
He has brought us to know Himself, as our Father, through Christ, His
Beloved Son. What will it mean, for us , to know God? It will mean being
changed by Him. He is teaching us to walk with Him. He is teaching us
to follow Jesus. He is teaching us “to refuse the evil, and choose the
good” (Isaiah 7:15). Standing upon the promise - “God is with us” - does
not mean that we will take God’s presence for granted. God is not only
comforting us. He’s also challenging us. We’re not to be conformed to
the world’s way of living (Isaiah 8:11). We’re to be transformed. We’re
to live the Lord’s way (Isaiah 8:13).
We read about Elijah in his high-points of strength - the triumph over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) - and his low-points of weakness - he is ready to give up: “I’ve had enough now, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). How did Elijah get into such a mess? He forgot this: “The Lord’s power was on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46). In all life’s ups and downs, we must hold on to this: The Lord has sent His Spirit of power to live in us (2 Timothy 1:7). How are we to live in the power of the Spirit? We need to feed on the Word of God and drink in the Word of God (1 Kings 17:4). We need to pray that the Lord will send His showers of blessing (1 Kings 17:14). We are to live our life “according to the Word of the Lord” (1 Kings 17:16). For our life of faith to be strong in the Lord, we need to listen attentively to the preaching of God’s Word (1 Kings 17:24).
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