Day 24
Start with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)
Read Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
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.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Devotional:
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Written in the midst of a pain that seems to mock the promises of these words of Isaiah. Christmas in 2022 does not feel any better than it was when the song was written over two thousand years since the promised Messiah was born. How do we celebrate this Christmas while all is not yet right? We focus on the fulfilled promises of God in scripture and in our lives, we focus on His character and His track record of keeping His promises. In the fullness of time the Messiah arrived as promised and in the fullness of time for the promises of God are yea and amen.
Questions to Ponder:
Do you fear God is mad at you for doubting His promises? Do you truly believe that nothing is too difficult for God?
Prayer:
Almighty God, king of the universe I thank you for your wonderful and awesome promises. Thank you for choosing to be my help and my hope, thank you for your patience with my impatience for the completion of all my desires and prayers. Help me to come to you with all my fears and anxieties and to know with full assurance that you love me even when I doubt your goodness and love for me.
End with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)