✝ Daily Encouragement (12/5/22) "For Unto Us"
Published: Mon, 12/05/22
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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Monday, December 5, 2022
This majestic titles of Almighty God in the person of Jesus incarnate.
This is a photo taken of counted cross stitch needle work. In my younger years I found great enjoyment in cross stitching many Scripture verses to hang on our
walls. Not only a colorful wall decoration but also a helpful way to memorize Scripture and to make our home an open Bible for those who visited.
"
For Unto Us"
Note:
This week we will share a five part series based on Isaiah 9:6, considering one the great Old Testament prophecies concerning
Christ.
Message summary:
Today let us place our focus on the Son of God who came unto us to establish His
kingdom.
 Listen to our message on your audio player.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Have you noticed that a phenomenon of aging is that life seems to go by faster the older you get? I attribute this to a mathematical equation since each year
becomes a smaller and smaller percentage of your life. When I was ten, a year was 10% of my life (actually even more in experience, since we don't even remember our first several years). But on my last birthday a year of my life was just 1.5%. Of course each year I get older this percentage continues to decrease!
In high school in the early seventies I read the science fiction novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four", by English novelist George Orwell. Though 1984 was only some 12 years away at that time it seemed like it was way out there in the practically unimaginable very distant future. Of course that year came and went and then it was looking ahead to the new millennium which again seemed so far away but of course the year 2000 came and went and, amazingly, we are now already over 20 years into the new millennium! But consider with us today a 700 year period of time. Looking back that would place us in the middle ages in 1322. Looking ahead would take us to 2722!
We ended our message on Friday with the words to the "Hallelujah Chorus", likely the most well-known song from Handel's Messiah. But another
well known selection from "Messiah" is "For Unto Us a Child is Born" which is based on our daily (and weekly verse).
This is a prophetic message from some 700 years before Christ was born. The idea is that the future prophecy was so certain to transpire, that it was
presented as if it were an accomplished fact in Isaiah's day. This is known theologically as the prophetic perfect. It's similar to Isaiah's prophecy about the suffering Messiah in chapter 53 where he writes, "Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering..." (Isaiah 53:4ff)
Isaiah prophesied the characteristics of the Messiah in our daily text, and later those of a suffering servant (Isaiah 53). He looked ahead as he declared his prophecy, unaware that it would be 700 years for his prophecy to be fulfilled. Bonhoeffer, in his book, "God Is In The Manger" makes this observation: "The prophet is so deeply immersed in God's
thought and counsel that he speaks of the future as if he saw it already.""For unto us a Child is born". Very similar wording is used in the birth narrative in Luke 2:11, "For unto you
is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord".
By first describing Him as a Child and then as a Son, Isaiah is using the Hebrew literary tool of repetition for emphasis. But the second phrase also
elaborates upon the first. The first phrase specifies the means of His coming, "a Child is born"; the second speaks of the purpose of His coming, "a Son is given". The first merely says "a Child", while the second specifies, "a Son".
"Unto us a Son is given" This is precursor to one of the Bible's most memorized verses:
"For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son..." (John 3:16).
"And the government will be upon His shoulder".
When we read this we may tend to consider "government" in the sense of those who
presently rule our land (wherever we may live). However likely this has the sense of Christ's rule over the Kingdom of God, by far the most important of the two kingdoms in which we live. Pastor Richard Dresselhaus writes regarding our citizenship:
"Where do you have your citizenship? Is it only on earth…or is it in
heaven?
'But our citizenship is in heaven.'
Maybe this explains why you feel so out of place. Every day seems to include another worldly quest that you abhor. For now…you will need to settle for dual citizenship. But the one that matters most is the one you already have in heaven. But for now…you are on a collision course with this world. So keep your values anchored in God’s Word…and your eyes firmly fixed on the
Lord.
We look forward to a better day. '…We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…' Keep your eyes on heaven – that is where your real citizenship is held." Be encouraged today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne
Weber
 Daily prayer
: Father, thank You for sending
Jesus who was born to set us free. Just as the angels told the shepherds not to be fearful for they had Good News to deliver, we too are recipients of God's favor provided through the salvation of Jesus Christ. We need not fear our present or future circumstances, for You said You will never leave us nor forsake us, in this life here below. We confess that the government is on Your shoulders and you are establishing an eternal Kingdom where You will reign forever and ever. And best of all
You have secured for us everlasting life in the hereafter. Hallelujah! Amen.Special Year-end Financial Appeal
We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at
the end of the year for which we are most thankful. We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support at this time but if you would like information about making a donation to our ministry see here.
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Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"For Unto Us A Child Is Born/Open The Eyes Of My Heart" Video
Paul
Baloche
"Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)" Video
We The Kingdom (Our
worship team concluded our service with this song yesterday)
Finally
today:
Saturday night Ester went to another concert at the Giant Center with the group "For King and Country". This one was sold out with a much younger
audience than the one we attended Thursday evening with the older Gaither crowd! Ester was excited to share this song and the rather unusual visual effects.
"Little Drummer Boy" Video
For King and Country (This was from
a show in Dallas last week but ester told us they used the same effects in Hershey Saturday night.)
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