Happy New Year!

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 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. (Isaiah 9:1-7 ESV). While visiting with our family for Christmas we rediscovered the volatility of weather in Texas. I’m sure you have heard the news reports of the devastating tornado that touched down in Rowlett, Texas on December 26th. We were a scant 50 miles to the west when that storm touched down. Certainly we need to be in prayer for all of those affected by this storm system across our nation. The continued efforts to recover from the storms have just begun. It may not be such a “happy” New Year for those directly impacted by the storms. That news brought me to our reading today. I know it is typically a reading used around Christmas time; however, the truth of it is much more far-reaching than that. The people in Isaiah’s time were facing the conquering army of a vicious king. His appetite for more land and people under his rule was insatiable. Judea was next in his sight. Isaiah comes with a message of hope for the people of Israel. A greater King was coming. That kingdom would be one of peace and justice. There would be no end to that government. People must have thought that there simply was no possibility of that happening. Then the prophet makes the incredible assertion that “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” With so many challenges facing us from so many different directions, we have only one resource that can truly bring peace. It is the zeal of the Lord! That has been manifested in Jesus. Trust in him for all your needs in life. Start this New Year with the knowledge that he will bring good to your life!