The Gift of Jesus | HOPE
A Child Is Born. A Son Is Given.
Isaiah 9:2–7
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 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 accomplish this.
The Warning Before the Promise
After eight chapters of warning, Isaiah 9:2–7 breaks through as a beacon of hope. Around 700 BC, God sent Isaiah to confront Judah and its corrupt king, Ahaz. Rejecting God, Ahaz embraced idols and plundered the temple to bribe Assyria into an alliance (2 Kings 16:8). His distrust of God led to Israel’s enslavement.
I see myself in Ahaz. Though raised on biblical truth, I rejected God as a young adult and pursued my own path. Proverbs 4:19 became reality: “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” By 22, I was a single mother of two, trusting myself and blind to the consequences of my pride.
But the Message Was Hope
Isaiah’s message wasn’t final judgment—God offered hope:
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light…” (Isaiah 9:2)
While God never left me, I became numb to His voice. Suffering often tempts us to blame God, but He warns us—we choose whether to listen. Yet God still promises deliverance:
“For You shall break the yoke of their burden…” (Isaiah 9:3–5)
My deliverance began when I was broken. A believer pointed me to Scripture. I took one step toward God—and He met me. In 2014, I surrendered my burdens, and He replaced them with peace. In His kindness, the man God used to soften my heart became the godly husband I had given up on finding.
Redemption Isn’t Easy
Following Christ did not remove suffering. After re-surrendering, my son fell into addiction and was sentenced to forty years in prison. I have faced loss, health issues, career sacrifice, and shame. At times, I have battled the lie that his fate is my fault. But in those moments, I have seen God’s goodness most clearly.
Israel did not deserve God’s love—and neither do we. Yet He never gives up. Our hope echoes theirs:
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us…” (Isaiah 9:6–7a)
This Savior—Jesus Christ—is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. He redeems what we cannot. He makes “a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:15–19). And His promises stand, not by our effort, but by His guarantee:
“The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:7b)
Light in the Darkness
God hates sin because it separates us from Him. I walked in darkness—driven by fear, passion, and the need for approval. But He chose mercy:
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6–8)
Because of His grace, I hope in Christ. I am reborn. I have a choice. I can wallow in despair over my son—or surrender him to God. I can trust my own understanding—or trust His sovereign will.
Jesus declared:
“I have come into the world as light…” (John 12:46)
His path—or mine. Light—or darkness. There is no middle ground.
In Him, I can wait. I can trust. I can endure. Just as Israel did.
When the Heart Longs
This holiday season, when I long to hold my son, I look to the Son who was given for me. I rest in His promises. I rest in hope—the hope of redemption for my family and yours.
“Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength…” (Isaiah 40:31)
Reflection Questions
- Where in your life have you taken control instead of trusting God?
- What allies make it tempting to ignore His truth?
- Are you seeking the counsel of Christ, your Wonderful Counselor?
- Where have you seen His hope in your story and have you shared it?
Additional Verses on Hope
Proverbs 26:5 • Job 11:17 • Romans 8:24 • Hebrews 10:23 • Acts 26:18
Written by Kristen Larch | Woodcreek Member
Questions? communications@woodcreekchurch.com
