This blog was inspired by a sermon I recently heard by Josh Martin at Resonate Church. In this political climate, it’s important for us to look into the Bible to be reminded of God’s perspective. If we ignore the Bible, we are prone to listen to another voice that shouts for our allegiance, and the result will be hopelessness, confusion, and fear.
Josh expounded on Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
Though often used at Christmas, these verses have a tremendous application to our current political climate. Previously, Isaiah had prophesied, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” (Isaiah 7:14) His words promised that the Messiah’s arrival on the stage of history would be both MIRACULOUS and COMMON. His birth would be like that of any other child. But His conception in Mary’s womb would be uniquely different from that of any other baby. This prophecy was fulfilled in the conception and birth of Jesus.
We understand from Isaiah’s prophecy that someday this Child will govern the entire world. Today, within governments you find greed, corruption, and injustice. When Jesus returns, what kind of ruler will He be?
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR: Wise
MIGHTY GOD: Powerful
EVERLASTING FATHER: Caring
PRINCE OF PEACE: Unifying
The hallmarks of His rule will be fairness and justice. He will provide equity for all and will always operate with truth, doing what’s right. There won’t be any skeletons in His closet or dirt to dig up. There won’t be any dishonesty or discrimination in His administration.
But when Jesus stepped into history the first time, it was NOT to set up an earthly throne. It was to establish His kingdom in the human heart. A dialogue between Jesus and Pilate in John 18:36-38 bears this out.
Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.”
Pilate: “You are a king, then!”
Jesus: “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.”
Right this minute, in spite of not having an earthly government, Jesus is in control of human history. Though He is never an accomplice to sin, nor does He ever prohibit the exercise of man’s free will, Jesus will accomplish His plans. While being informed and voting is very important, those who follow Christ do not have to worry or fret over the outcome of the elections. Our trust remains in the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Because Jesus died for our sins and came back to life, we can invite Him to set up His kingdom in our hearts. When we do, we come to experience Him as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
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