December 18, Rev. Kyle Brown

Isaiah 9:6-7

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. 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.

I have to confess, I can’t read this portion of Scripture—Isaiah 9:6-7—without hearing Handel’s rendition of it in his masterpiece oratorio, “Messiah.” If you’re not familiar with it, go look it up after you’re done with devotions. It’s glorious, and it will reverberate in the mind the rest of the day. But for as glorious as it is, even this will likely pale in comparison to the version sung by the angelic choirs, joined by the deathless voices of the martyrs and all of us who will be made incorruptible on the Last Day. On that day, we will see our Lord reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords, as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace. Nonetheless, this can be a hard thing to remember in the midst of our own political turmoil. Our eyes can easily become clouded over with the chaos and turbulence of the politics, the wars and economic troubles, not to mention our own personal finances, distresses, and hardships. The world can seem very dark with her many distresses. Yet in the midst of this darkness, the Word of God shines out, a ray of hope, a glory leading to further glory. It is a reminder to us that our Lord is the King of kings and that He does, even now, reign on high. Lord, help us to fix our eyes on You, so that even through the darkness of our hardships, we might see the Light of Your eternal glory. Amen.

Rev. Kyle Brown

Pastor, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lovington, New Mexico and Grace Lutheran Church, Hobbs, New Mexico

Student Director, 2014-2016