Given by God

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Scripture: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” Isaiah 9:6, ESV

Consider: I do not suppose there has ever been a greater gift than God’s own son. The prophet Isaiah once said some 700 years before the birth of Christ, that all of this was for… us! The gift was for you and for me! Why would God do that for me?

Today, here in God’s word we see that this eternal God had “us” in mind! We see him breaking through from heaven to earth with a message of hope for Isaiah to share with a weary world that he urged to prepare him room.

Isaiah ministered during the reign of four different kings in the capital city during the latter half of the eighth century in Judah. He struggled like all of us. He felt the tensions of living in between a future hope and a present reality. The gap in between was depressing for many, including Isaiah. These Israelites became disillusioned by the local government and awaiting this messiah that would one day come to rule and reign. Isaiah, like all other Judean prophets, had three jobs. First, he needed to hear God’s audible voice, second, he needed to be faithful to share this message, and thirdly he needed to lead his people to worship and await the Messiah!

We read in Isaiah 9:6, He did share this news that this messiah was coming in the form of a child. He said a son would be given! This was God’s gift to us and for us! Why? Because God is gracious! God is good! He knows our greatest need is to be known and loved by Him! Our heavenly father looks with anticipation to see if you will enjoy, admire and appreciate this gift, his one and only son this Christmas season! Will you?

To fully cherish Christ this Advent season, we must first understand God’s motive in giving his son to us! This answer can be found in the familiar and most famous verse in our Bible. John 3:16 says… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son...” Listen, God loves you, he really, fully loves you! He loves you not for what could be, or should be, but for who are in Christ! God’s love motivated him to give you Christ, before the foundations of the earth God’s plan was for you to Know Him and enjoy him forever! Doing anything else is a futile waste of time! I urge you today, receive more fully, God’s gift, Jesus Christ with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving!

Let me exhort you. Commit to these daily devotionals through Christmas! You won’t regret it. I promise we will learn a lot. We are going to learn about Christ, his love for you and me, how to cherish him more, how to increase our capacity to worship him in our hearts and in our homes! We are going to learn about ourselves too! We will learn about our Lord and our historic faith. What has happened in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, still echoes in the hearts of more than 2.07 billion Christians around the world today! This is serious! PREPARE HIM ROOM but remember GRACE!

Pray: Lord today; I thank you for loving me enough never to leave me alone. Thank you for your son, Jesus! Help me to cherish you more this season. Increase my capacity for you… mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I commit to Prepare Room in my heart and in my home. In the name of Jesus Amen!