Popularly quoted Isaiah 9 becomes my obsession Scripture right around this time of the year. I'm not satisfied with my baby-grasp of Scripture so sometimes I whip out the ESV Study Bible. Here are the two Scriptures I thought about today:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
(Isaiah 9:2 ESV)
popularly quoted:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6 ESV)
ESV Study Bible: "[joy of the Child coming] is not subjective wishful thinking but an objective, surprising joy breaking upon sinners through the grace of Christ."
What does this mean for me personally? Sometimes "joy" and "peace" in our culture are nothing more than subjective wishful thinking, because they aren't really rooted in anything. That's how I felt at least. Peace is always some weird floaty unattainable thing. And even sometimes attaching the name "Jesus" to "peace" for some people, it's still weird and floaty. But if you think about the wretched state of our souls (in darkness, always searching but never finding) and the Savior come down as a baby, to take us to God, -- and pray about it, and ask God to make it real to you -- somehow, in some crazy way, peace comes.
Peace = peace with God. Peace = Christ came. Peace = Jesus paid for my sins. Peace doesn't equal life going my way. Even though sometimes it really seems like it!
Lord Jesus, show us Yourself. Show us peace this year.
