Upon His Shoulder: Now and Without End

“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…

“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 9:1,6-7

Israel faced turmoil within and opposition from without, so Isaiah’s promise established stability and hope. They roiled in the dark roughness of rebellion, dissension, doubt, and fear, so his message flooded them with light. A Savior was announced. He would come, and was presently given. He upheld them then, and He would still and always. He upholds kings and kingdoms now, and will without end. He rules now, and forever. (Isaiah 1:2-10; 9:8-21)

These promises are foundational for our stability today. Accomplished by the zeal and power of God Almighty, as spoken, they are completed. This child and Son born is Everlasting Father, and we are His adopted children, members of His family forever. He is Prince of Peace, and because He so rules, we need never be tossed to and fro by circumstances. As His kingdom increases, so does His government, and peace. His throne stands and is upheld in purity, righteousness, justice, and has dominion over heaven and earth’s hosts. (John 14:27; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:4-6)

O friend, how can we be shaken or afraid? He is our Rock and Fortress. Why do we languish in despair and pessimism? He is our hope and comfort. When our souls are downcast, the outlook seems gloomy, and we’re tempted to fret and anguish over what we cannot control, we can know we are held by the same strong arms that carry the government of people and nations and history. Why be downcast? Hope in the Lord, and yet praise Him! (Psalm 18:1-6; 42:5-11; 2 Corinthians 1:2-4)

“Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.

Crown him the Lord of peace,
whose power a scepter sways,
from pole to pole that wars may cease
absorbed in prayer and praise;
his reign shall know no end
and round His pierced feet,
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Father, keep me looking at life from the heights where You dwell and reign, ever trusting and extolling Your almighty, righteous rule and greatness.