There will be no end...

ISA 9:6-7 ESV

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.

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Isaiah starts right out with 8 chapters that have, for the most part, amounted to a litany of more than disappointing behaviour and an understandably harsh judgement. But things have taken a major turn in chapter 9.

God is beside himself with excitement. God can hardly contain the sense of purpose and accomplishment that comes with seeing through his promise to David. And this plan is far far better than anyone previously expected. Oh to be sure the first 8 chapters of this word from God through Isaiah has been a bit grim. So far the majority of God's revealed plans have been scary. Not the kind of news that warmed the cockles of one's heart. But truth and hope of a sort nonetheless.

But this news is colossal and a whole new order of magnitude in the unfolding love story of God's intentions for humankind.

The promise of God to David was going to be fulfilled by God himself, not simply a representative. And this time it was going to be final, fair, and forever.

With the aid of hindsight we can see this is all about the birth, life and rule of the God /Man Christ/Messiah Jesus of Nazareth born in Bethlehem.

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace are magnificently hope-giving names rich with meaning and impossibly achievable in anyone short of a divine person.

So God himself would come and fulfill God's promise to David.

Now, let me direct you a bit closer to home. Have a thought to your own life. What is the status of your hopes and your dreams?

Just think, the promise to David had grown in every conceivable way. So the extent of this everlasting rule of God had no end.

The zeal of the rule of God's Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace had expanded to cover you. This hope of God in the midst of great disappointment and harsh judgement orchestrates justice and righteousness over your hopes and dreams.

Can you put your trust in the plan of God? Can you recognise the tickled pink excitement of God's love of a plan that's come together?

The 'no-end'  nature of God's expansive and extensive kingdom rule covers you with peace.

Get excited with God over his plan to take over for you.