LEARNING DAILY

Isaiah 9:6, “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.”

The past three weeks, Dr. Ed Newton has preached on the verse. He has explained that there is nothing God does not know (Wonderful Counselor). He has explained that God is mighty to save; He is our Champion. He has shown that God is a good Father (Everlasting father). This past weekend he talked about God, the Prince of Peace.

If You were asked your opinion of the world situation today, I imagine you would agree there is chaos everywhere. There is no peace in the world; there is certainly war and rumors of war all around. Deception, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (natural phenomena), are occurring in more frequency and in greater destruction. Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 are certainly before us. We also see the words written by Timothy in his second letter about the perilous times in the last days causing a lack of peace in people. World leaders meet to discuss peace proposals and brag about the accomplishments of those meetings, only to see broken promises and failures of these talks. Dr. Newton spoke of the world seeing only a fake peace and we have seen his words to be true.

“Immanuel”, God’s Son was born into a world of chaos. He was born into a world where His people were looking for a conquering king to lead a rebellion against the Roman oppression and their taxation. He came into a dark world to bring the light of His gospel, His salvation. But “the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1: 10-11). He came to bring a peace that is not found in the world. Dr. Newton pointed out that the Son came as a prince and not a king. I found that very interesting. The Son knew that the people were looking for a king to lead them and they would attempt to make Him their king in order to rebel against Rome. So, He came as a “prince”. The church Listener Guide has this written in it. “Prince” is a name marking the dignity of one who possess sovereignty in title; the ruler of a principality. [It is] a designation of how Jesus would come in humility not claiming a title as King, for it would have been interpreted politically”.

Jesus came to give peace in the midst of a chaotic world, a peace that the world could not give. He came to bring salvation to all who would accept the free gift He was offering. The Bible does tell us Immanuel will return. His return will not be with the designation of “Prince” but as “King”. When He returns as “King” it will be to establish His kingdom on earth.

Let’s put this in perspective for each person, individually. Jonathon Moore, Lead pastor at NorthRock Church spoke this weekend that Jesus came to each of us “just as we are but He does not leave us the way He found us”. For those who have asked “Immanuel” into their hearts. Remember who and what you were before He came to move in your life, to show you your need for a Savior. I know my life was such that I needed to change, redirect my life; I was on a broad way leading to destruction. I needed a Savior to turn my sinful nature into peace. And, He did!

The takeaway statement from Community Bible Church this weekend is: The Good News of Jesus described as peace on earth was not just to bring comfort but to convict us, convince us, but most of all change us!” People are looking for peace. That peace will only be found in Jesus Christ. Dr. Newton said, “The storms of life around us may not stop, but peace comes from the comfort of Jesus Christ who is greater than the anxiety you face.” I, for one, would rather face the trials and temptations, the storms, walking on a narrow way with Jesus, than have to try to figure them out on my own.

According to Pastor, the most highlighted verse in 2023 was Philippians 4:7 which states, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. If you or someone you know, is looking for peace in the storms around you, I urge you to look to Jesus, the author and finisher (perfecter) of your life. He is the One who saved you and is able to sustain you and bring your salvation to completion.