Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

August 02, 2018

by Pastor Hawtree

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO ESTABLISH HIS OWN GOVERNMENT (part 1)

Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: ………. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

This is one of the most familiar, prophetic passages in the Old Testament. Jesus was not just a baby that would be born, but He is literally the “son” of God that would be “given” to us. Then of course what did we do, we crucified Him. It is interesting to me that one of the first descriptions given after the prophecy of His birth, was that “the government shall be upon His shoulder”. This means His “kingdom” or His “empire”.

Notice first that Jesus will CARRY His kingdom. It will be “upon His shoulder”. Right now, political parties, special interests, movers, and shakers are all trying to jockey for position in governments, kingdoms, and political systems. It is all about who you know, what you have, and what you are willing to do. When Jesus sets up His government, He will be the only one in authority. It will all be on His shoulder.

Jesus will also CONTINUE his kingdom. This verse says of “the increase of His government…there shall be no end”. This means it will grow greater and greater. His kingdom will never stop growing.

Jesus will then CALM His kingdom. In the government that Jesus sets up, there “shall be no end” of “peace”. As I am sure you realize, man is not very good at setting up peaceful kingdoms. We have created “wars and rumors of wars”. We preach “peace”, but create conflict. Today, can you just imagine what it will be like when we are under the authority of Jesus’ government? No more corrupt politicians, no more lying leaders, no more hidden agendas. He will take over His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our present government system might discourage and frustrate all of us, but just hold on. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” Trust me, it is coming!