2)
The people that walked in darkness have seen
a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them
hath the light shined.
3)
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not
increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as
men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4)
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden,
and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5)
For every battle of the warrior is with
confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning
and fuel of fire.
6)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The
Prince of Peace.
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his
passage contains the traditional Christmas message of the birth of Christ.
Though we may focus on this Old Testament passage, we must recognize that
today, it is yet being fulfilled. This passage is not just concerning the birth
of a Child in His day and time, but rather has a deeper meaning.
To
fully appreciate the “Christmas story,” we must understand that the coming of
Christ brought light and revelation to a dark world. It is absolutely necessary
that we partake of the light that Christ came to reveal. It was only with the
coming of Christ that Man came to know what darkness
really was. As phenomenal and miraculous as the dawning of light is, too many
still remain in darkness.
In
that salvation was delivered to us in such a spectacular way, many feel it
“mysterious” and perhaps even somewhat “magical.” Though scripture does say
that “great is the mystery of godliness,” too many expect salvation to be “low”
to “no” maintenance. They mystery refers to the fact that those who walk in the
Spirit will unfathomable to the rest of the World. In that salvation is of a
dear price, it should be dear, or precious, to us.
As
we examine today’s passage, verse three should raise the question of why would
the nation be increasing in number, yet an increase in joy not follow? If we
are observant at all, we should see that this is exactly what is happening
within the Church.
Many
are coming into the Church, but not coming back. Notice that the joy the people
experience is of a temporary, cyclical nature, as of harvest time. In other
words, they are satisfied for a season....As men rejoice when they divide the
spoils of battle, this too is for a season. Like too
many of us, as soon as the “blessing” is over, the joy is gone.
Verse
four speaks to us of what should be a
happy occasion. After all, men had been released from bondage and oppression.
But, what this verse is showing is that just because a yoke has been broken
does not mean that man is any happier. We have a specific example in
Verse
five speaks of a great truth and yes, even consolation. The Lord is telling us
that in a natural battle, one hears much noise and sees much confusion.
Undoubtedly, this is the warfare with which we become familiar. However, the
battle referred to is not meant and cannot be won in the same way as a natural
battle. It will be fought and won with burning and fire.
Of
course, what was not known then is that the Holy Ghost is the purging (burning ) agent. Once He comes into the life of the
believer, the believer must rethink his perception of warfare. Why? Because
from that point onward, he must understand that deliverance will not come the
way one would expect—by the same experiences as the rest of the World. We
should be able to recognize the correlation in Acts, Chapter 2 “...there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire ....” Also, we have the
prophecy of the daughters of
The
question which can be asked after verse five is how will we
win this battle “with burning and fuel of fire,” This is why and how we have victory and all that we need. One may
as well forget winning any spiritual war with natural warfare.
Jesus
was given unto us to bring a new way. No one could ever have done what He has
for us! No wonder scripture declares Him Wonderful! How wonderful He proves
Himself through brining us salvation and keeping us in this walk!
When
we need help, what a Counselor! Never, when we ask His guidance, will He steer
us in the wrong direction! Recognize that as the Prince of Peace, He has not come
in the same way as others attempt with destructive weapons. He effects change
inside of an individual. This is how He goes about cleansing the World,
destroying what is bad within us. Then, we are to bring peace, purity and
wholeness to the World. If one has never understood the importance of the
individual walk, he should now.
We
all can read that Jesus came to give us abundant life, but how many accept or
live it? We are not simply to be “surviving”—we are to enjoy the fullness of
real life! Obviously, this means doing more than just coping.
Today,
too many who are supposed to be operating as warriors for the Lord simply have a good “bluff.” None of us can just depend on the
mediocre to win others. The World, to be convinced, must be shown the super-abundant
life of the saint. In that we have been redeemed by the Power which created the
heavens and the earth, why don’t more of us enjoy this life? The answer lies in
the fact that redeemed man is afraid that he cannot manifest and maintain his
victory.
Super-abundance
ties into production, which requires the planting of seed. Another principle
which causes difficulty is that of the planted and dead productive seed. Why?
Because the indication is that we must be “dead” in order to produce fruit.
“Unto
us a child is born” carries significance only to one who is convinced that
salvation is the most important thing with which he will ever have to be concerned.
For, when problems capture the greatest amount of one’s attention, he has
missed the point of salvation and thus, the birth of the baby named Jesus.