He Shall Reign Forevermore

“The names of God written in Isaiah 9 show the complexity of who is to come and all that Jesus will be to us forever.”

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)

Each year as the Christmas season is upon us, I find myself sitting with the verses written to us in Isaiah 9. I sit in awe of what was coming. I sit in awe of the reality that this prophecy was fulfilled. "For unto us a child is born..." (verse 6). The child that would change life's trajectory for all of us who choose to be made right with God. Each name of God written in Isaiah 9 has something sweetly different to offer our hearts. They show the complexity of who is to come and all that Jesus will be to us forever.

I love thinking of Jesus as my Wonderful Counselor, the one over all things - the one I can put my hope in forever. When I look back at my relationship with Jesus over the last 12 years, I see so many moments where He's counseled and governed my heart personally through His Holy Spirit. Moments of guidance, direction, protection, and loving me where I have been, but loving me too much to leave me the same.

I vividly remember my first Christmas in Columbus, OH. Just two months shy of when I made it public to the world that I'd rededicated my life to Christ through the outward expression of baptism. It was the last Christmas I'd ever spend not fully immersed in the goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty of God.

I'd love to know how many others have spent each Christmas since 2012 knowing they are covered by the blood of Christ and walking in the sovereignty of God. This truly is what the Christmas season is all about. Accepting the gift of Christ Jesus and celebrating His birth! Jesus's birth means new life and LIGHT in this dark, jaded world.

As this season comes about year after year I find that one of my deepest desires is to know that each person in my life, even the hard to love ones, will never spend another Christmas apart from their Wonderful Counselor, their shepherd, their never-ending safe place.

I'm expectant to see all God is going to do in this special season of Advent. I don't want another heart to miss the greatest gift one could ever receive. Nothing can quite wrap up the magnitude and glory of the gift of Jesus, but the best place for it to be shared starts with you and me inviting others in.

Action Step:

• My challenge for you and I is this: How will you make Him known to those around you today? How will you let people know they have a God who loves them, sees them, and desires a deep relationship with them? How will you engage them in this season with His light and life?

• Listen to "Go Tell It on the Mountain (I'm Gonna Tell It)(Live)" By Tree Church Music

Written by Chelsey, mother of 2