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Isaiah 9:6 - HAVE JESUS; HAVE PEACE.

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born, 
to us a son is given, and the government will 
be on his shoulders. And he will be called 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 
Prince of Peace.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   We gather in church to sing "O Come, O 
Come, Emmanuel." The hope-filled lyrics welcome 
Jesus to the world. Like the Israelites long ago, 
we yearn for His presence. 
   As I join the others, I'm pulled in 
different directions. In my mind's eye, I see the sink 
piled with unwashed dishes and the living room 
strewn with boxes of Christmas decorations. 
Pandemonium has overtaken my house - a perfect match for 
the chaos cluttering my mind. Social 
engagements, shopping, wrapping  my stomach tightens 
as I consider the weeks ahead. 
   Yet my heart is drawn to the way Jesus 
entered humanity. In the midst of an overcrowded 
city, under the cover of darkness, He chose a 
quiet stable to provide his first bed. It didn't 
make sense to me. Why Bethlehem, and why during 
the census? Couldn't He have chosen a better 
place, a calmer time? 
   Then I understand. His divine peace isn't 
hidden in starry skies or country stables. It's not 
in the calming of the seas or the healing of 
the sick. It's in Him. He is peace itself - the 
Prince of Peace. And His peace lives in me. With 
Jesus, I can see past the disorder to the gift He 
gave us all. I smile as we reach the chorus. 
'Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O 
Israel." 
   God with me. God in me. He's come. And I 
rejoice. Heidi Gaul 
   Faith Step: Close your eyes and reflect 
on Jesus. Let His peace cover and fill you. 
Pray thanks to the Prince of Peace. [Mornings 
With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

   Heaven gave to men its best and greatest. 
He who had stood in the councils of the Most 
High, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of 
the Eternal, was the One chosen to reveal in 
person to humanity the knowledge of God. 
   Through Christ had been communicated 
every ray of divine light that had ever reached 
our fallen world. It was He who had spoken 
through everyone that throughout the ages had 
declared Gods word to man. Of Him all the 
excellences manifest in the earths greatest and 
noblest souls were reflections. The purity and 
beneficence of Joseph, the faith and meekness and 
long-suffering of Moses, the steadfastness of Elisha, the 
noble integrity and firmness of Daniel, the ardor 
and self-sacrifice of Paul, the mental and 
spiritual power manifest in all these men, and in all 
others who had ever dwelt on the earth, were but 
gleams from the shining of His glory. In Him was 
found the perfect ideal. 
   To reveal this ideal as the only true 
standard for attainment; to show what every human 
being might become; what, through the indwelling 
of humanity by divinity, all who received Him 
would become"for this, Christ came to the world. 
He came to show how men are to be trained as 
befits the sons of God; how on earth they are to 
practice the principles and to live the life of 
heaven. 
   Gods greatest gift was bestowed to 
meet mans greatest need. The Light appeared 
when the worlds darkness was deepest. Through 
false teaching the minds of men had long been 
turned away from God. In the prevailing systems of 
education, human philosophy had taken the place of 
divine revelation. Instead of the heaven-given 
standard of truth, men had accepted a standard of 
their own devising. From the Light of life they 
had turned aside to walk in the sparks of the 
fire which they had kindled. Ed73-74 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Majestic Jesus,
   I come joyfully into Your Presence, my 
Prince of Peace. I love to hear You whispering the 
words You spoke to Your fearful disciples: "Peace 
be with you!" I rejoice that Your Peace is 
always with me because You are my constant 
Companion. When I keep my focus on You, I can 
experience both Your Presence and Your Peace. You are 
worthy of all my worship - for You are King of 
kings, Lord of lords, and Prince of Peace. 
   I need Your Peace each moment in order to 
accomplish Your purposes in my life. I confess that 
sometimes I'm tempted to take shortcuts - to reach my 
goals as quickly as possible. But I'm learning 
that if the shortcuts involve turning away from 
Your peaceful Presence, I must choose the longer 
route. 
   Lord, please help me to keep walking with 
You along the path of Peace - enjoying the 
journey in Your Presence. 
   In Your worthy Name, Amen (Isaiah 9:6; 
John 20:19; Psalm 25:4 NKJV; Luke 1:79) [Jesus 
Listens by Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Isaiah 9:6 - Gift of All Gifts; For Unto Us 
A Son Is Given. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211222-0934.html 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211221-0911.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/