Joy

Advent:  Joy

(Isaiah 9:3-5)

Yearly Theme:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “Eternal Peace”

December 5^th, 2021

Something to think about:

No matter the circumstances of life, or the situations one may find themselves in, true joy is the marker of a life lived with the hope of Christ. 

We come again to Isaiah’s passage in the Old Testament about the coming Messiah who would set the world straight, and whose kingdom would have no end.  This Messiah would be born of a virgin,[1] would be a Light to the nations,[2] and would ultimately rule as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.[3]  But these words of hope and encouragement from Isaiah would come during a time of judgement over the nation of Israel.  In the midst of their sorrow and difficulty, having incurred the wrath of GOD as an act of discipline for idolatrous behavior, the bedraggled people of GOD could look forward with joy at the day when GOD would send His Messiah to set the captives free. 

Let’s pick up Isaiah’s prophecy where we left off last week:

Isaiah 9:3-5 (NLT), 

³ You will enlarge the nation of Israel,

and its people will rejoice.

They will rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest

and like warriors dividing the plunder.

⁴ For you will break the yoke of their slavery

and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.

You will break the oppressor’s rod,

just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

⁵ The boots of the warrior

and the uniforms bloodstained by war

will all be burned.

They will be fuel for the fire.^[4]

Here’s the key point this morning…

Key Point:  “When joy seems a distant memory, GOD’s salvation is just a breath away.”

How would GOD come through for them?  What would be the result of His ultimate love for them?  Let’s break it down:

•  the nation of  .

Isaiah 9:3 (NLT), You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.

•  the yoke of  .

Isaiah 9:4 (NLT), For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.  You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

•  the  .

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT), The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned.  They will be fuel for the fire.

Something to take home:

When all hope is gone, and joy seems a distant memory, GOD is always working to bring about something amazingly good, and so wonderfully powerful, that at first, even the mere notion of Him breaking through, may seem impossible.  However, GOD faithful and He is good!  His love never fails, and He can always be trusted.  If we remain faithful and lean on Him, there is nothing we can’t get through without His help.

Key Point:  “When joy seems a distant memory, GOD’s salvation is just a breath away.”

[1] Isaiah 7:14.

[2] Isaiah 9:1-2.

[3] Isaiah 9:6-7.

^[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Is 9:3–5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.