“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.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 9:7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
A week from today, we will focus on the birth of Christ.
Many pastors will focus on the prophecies of Isaiah in the run-up to the Gospel focus.
It is notable that Isaiah starts Chapter 9 with this in verse two:
“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.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 9:2). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Referenced in Luke 1:79, we should not forget John.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 1:1–5). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
That light came into the world, and His kingdom will be forever.
But go back to Isaiah 9:7. “The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will do this.” The zeal of God Almighty Himself will do it.
In other words, there is not a single thing you or I can do to stop what is coming. And that’s a larger message than you may realize. Because God raises up nations and makes them fall. He raises up leaders and makes them fall. He raises us from the dust of the earth, and one day, we will die.
Everything is in the hands of God. He is sovereign and that means there is nothing that is going to deviate from His plan because of His zeal. Isaiah again references God’s zeal when he writes of God and only God being able to accomplish His plans for salvation.
“Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 59:15–17). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
There it is. He “wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” No one could bring justice, so God will.
And how did His justice come?
As a baby born in a manger, born to die, and executed on a cross. His perfect justice conquered death and sin.
We cannot stop or overcome God’s zeal and He has already established Christ’s eternal kingdom through His zeal. He is a zealot for truth and righteousness, and part of that truth and righteousness is a relationship with us. He wants to be among us.
Every other religion says to do things, follow paths, and understand things, and you will get to God. But Christ says, “Here I am. I came to you.” We have to do nothing because He accomplished it all for us. Just repent and believe in Him. He will make all things new.
And now, one final point — you’ll be upset, angry, and frustrated in the days and weeks ahead as we head into a political season. You will face setbacks, feel a sense of loss, and sometimes you might even despair. Maybe you’ll get some wins, too.
People will tell you that this is the most important election of your lifetime, just as they have done for the last fifty years.
So tell yourself this truth now — God’s got this. He is in charge. All things happen as He wills those things to happen. His zeal will do all these things because God is sovereign.
A week from today, we will remember He came again to walk with us, and we will be reminded that He will return and make all things new. There is nothing so broken in this world that He cannot heal that brokenness. Do not put your salvation, joy, or hope in politics or men. They will always disappoint, and He never will. The zeal of men is a drop of water to the zeal of God, as vast as an ocean.
