The Child

What terrifies us? This profound question opens a window into understanding God's ultimate answer to every human fear and anxiety. Drawing from Isaiah 9:1-7, we encounter a stunning revelation: God's response to all our terrors—whether they be external threats, internal sin, or spiritual darkness—is a child. The Israelites of 732 BC faced unimaginable horrors: the brutal Assyrian empire with its systematic violence, their own devastating sin including child sacrifice, and the terrifying reality of spiritual blindness as God turned His face from them. Yet into this darkness, a promise emerged that would echo 730 years into the future when Jesus began His ministry in the very regions first conquered by Assyria. The four names given to this child—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—aren't merely titles but revelations of how God meets us in our deepest needs. His words don't just inform us; they counsel us personally, reaching into the depths of our souls and working wonders. He is mighty enough to make evil shake and sin atone. He loves us with everlasting, fatherly affection that brings us to life. And He authors, achieves, and gives peace that multiplies endlessly within us. This peace isn't dependent on our circumstances improving but on His presence in every circumstance. We don't need no Assyria; we need Him in our Assyria. We don't need sinless lives; we need Him dealing with our sin. The gospel isn't just entry into Christian life—it's the fuel that sustains and sanctifies us throughout our journey.