A Weary World Rejoices

A Weary World Rejoices
Isaiah 9:1-7
December 19-20, 2020

This is a weary world. 2020 has become a year that many are thankful just to get through. But God has sustained and is walking with us through it. It’s been a hard year, the Covid-19 pandemic with its quarantines and lockdowns have left many people weary and tired. But then fires blanketed the entire West Coast in smoke, there was civil unrest that’s left the city of Portland in ruins, and on and on.

The world was also weary, however, when God sent His Son into the world. In a dry and weary land where there is no water, your help comes from God.

That is why the theme of Christmas is rejoicing. Because light has come in the darkness, because the hopeless have found hope, because the weary are strengthened, it’s time for rejoicing.

If you think about it, all the traditions of Christmas have something to do with rejoicing. Lights and candles, beautifully wrapped gifts, songs of celebration, bells on bobtails that ring, making spirits bright, eggnog, hot chocolate, candy canes and Christmas carols. They’re all traditions of Christmas that bring joy in the darkest part of the year.

Cultures around the world have Christmas traditions that speak of rejoicing. Some are rather interesting.

In Japan, the traditional Christmas dinner is Kentucky Fried Chicken. That would make anyone rejoice! This is so popular that families must make reservations early to be certain to get their KFC on Christmas Day.

In Finland, it’s tradition to visit a cemetery over Christmas. Graveside candles are lit; entire cemeteries are lighted. Three-fourths of all Finnish families visit a cemetery at Christmas, mostly on Christmas Eve. Special traffic arrangements are needed to handle the crowds.

If you think about it, there’s a beautiful message behind that tradition in Finland. God sent His Son to conquer death and give eternal life to all who trust in Him. So, yes, put lights in cemeteries!

In Hawaii, the tradition is to eat Spam on Christmas. Which, I’m sure brings joy to them, but I have a spam filter, so, no Spam for me.

In Venezuela, people go to Christmas Eve service on roller skates. So many people skate to church on Christmas Eve they close the streets. Which gives new meaning to the expression ‘holy rollers.’

And of course, who could forget our own American tradition of Christmas fruitcake? It’s kind of an ironic to call it fruitcake, however, because it is neither fruity nor cakey. I’m convinced the whole regifting thing originated with fruitcake.

We must be very careful, however, that traditions don’t replace the meaning and message of why God sent His Son. The world is weary and needs hope. The world is becoming more dangerous. Many with spiritual discernment have sensed the storm clouds on the horizon; there is a deep evil that is rising.

This is a broken, evil world and while there is greater darkness, it will also be a time of revival. Darkness will get darker, but a light will also dawn.

When Isaiah wrote the prophecy of Isaiah 9 it was a dark time for the nation of Israel. A terrible, wicked king ruled in Judah who turned Israel away from God to go after the gods of the world, gods of worldliness and licentiousness. The result was predictable; they became weaker as a nation as darkness and turmoil came over them.

At the darkest hour, God gave the greatest promise. There is no question that these verses give us the greatest promise known to man; that God would send an answer to darkness.

God’s answer is His Son. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” And the promises, hope, and help are given to us in the name spoken of in this prophecy.

God doesn’t stand by idly and watch as people destroy their lives, He does something about it; God is on the move, He is pursuing relationship. God sent His Son, He is knocking on the door of hearts, He wants people to have life.

Isaiah speaks of the name that is given for the One who is coming as the hope of the world. You gain great insight in the purpose and meaning of Christmas when you understand the significance of His name.

I. Hope is On the Way

• Verses 2-3 – “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light… You will increase their gladness; they will be glad in Your presence.”
• The promise is for those who need hope. Darkness is oppressive to the soul…
• The message of Isaiah 9 is that hope is on the way. Take heart, be comforted in a weary land where there is no water, God is giving you a promise of help.

A. The anguished soul needs a promise

Illus – Reading the news has become an anxious exercise. What is happening in this world causes many to be deeply concerned.

History is changing before our very eyes as troubles are increasing. This has been an epic year of trouble and people are weary and tired. Then, when we read the words of prophecy, we come to understand that this is merely the beginning. It’s like the pangs of childbirth; they will grow greater in intensity and closer together as the day draws near.

• It’s one thing to groan in anguish under a massive burden of troubles, it’s another thing to yearn for God to give an answer.

Job 19:25-27, For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. Oh, how my heart yearns within me! NKJV

B. Joy is the right response

• The land of Zebulun and Naphtali received the worst of the oppression in those days when Assyria brought their armies from the North.
• God will make glorious the place of darkest oppression because it is there that God would send His Son…

Matthew 4:13-14, And leaving Nazareth, He came and settle in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet…

• When God fulfills His promise, when God answers the hurt and anguish of the soul, the response should be joy and gladness; like the gladness of harvest, like when men rejoice after a great victory.
• Verse 4 – When God breaks the yoke of your burden and the staff on your shoulders and the rod of your oppressor, joy is the right response.

Psalm 126:1-3, “When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; and we are glad.”

• That’s why Christmas should be a happy and joy filled time of year, because it’s based on the hope of a promise.
• That hope, that promise, all that God gives is found in His Son… And given in His name.
• You receive God’s answer when you receive God’s Son; everything is based on your relationship to Him.

II. God Sends Hope in His Name

• Jesus is also called Immanuel, God with us, that’s God answer, God will be with us.
• “And His name shall be called…” In other words, God’s answer, God’s hope, God’s promise is found in Jesus’ name.
• How powerful is His name? Some people use His name as a cuss word. “Jesus Christ!” they exclaim. Why? They want to reduce the power of the name. That’s the only way they can handle saying His name.
• But hey, if they get to bring up His name, then I will also. When I was in the work-a-day world and someone would say, “Jesus Christ!” like a cuss word, I would sometimes say, “That’s a powerful name you’re using. Did you know that at that name every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?”

Philippians 2:9-11, God has bestowed on Him the name which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father.

•  …And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…

A. He is Wonderful Counselor

• The scripture tells us that the Lord will do marvelous, wonderful things.

1 Corinthians 2:9, Things which no eye has seen and ear has not heard; and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.

Ephesians 3:20, Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we could ask or even think.

• He is filled with all wisdom; His counsel is good and wise. In this messed up world with messed up lives, wonderful counsel is needed.

Illus – It’s a light of revelation, like when a teenager, who was absolutely convinced that you didn’t know anything, that they’re going to figure this out on their own, then grows up and actually asks you for advice.

• In Hebrew, the word, counselor means to “stand alongside.” You can imagine the help we would have if God were whispering in our ear.

Isaiah 30:21, Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Luke 11:21, “Behold; one greater than Solomon is here.”

• His counsel is only helpful if you walk in it; if you take hold and apply it to your life.

Luke 6:47-48, “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

B. He is Mighty God

• Is there anything clearer to declare that Jesus is God? He has power over all things.
• He turned the water into wine, healed lepers, raised the dead, has authority over demons and calmed the storm with a word of His command.

Luke 8:25, And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?”

App – Life is heavy, and it is only when you recognize Him to be your “Mighty God” will you turn to Him to help you carry it. This is the stuff of faith. And He would ask the same question of you and me, “Where is your faith?”

C. He is the prince who brings peace

• The government will be on his shoulders and there will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.
• He is the Prince who brings peace; peace with God as we will see, but it also means peace on earth. Why?
• Because He is the only One with the authority to bring peace and silence the enemies of God. As He spoke to the storm, so He will speak to the rulers of the earth.

Isaiah 40:23-31 …It is He who reduces the rulers of the earth to nothing.

• True peace will come when people are right with God.

Colossians 1:19-20, For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

John 14:27, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let your heart be fearful.”

Illus – We love the nativity scene and have several displays. It is a picture of those who come to Jesus to honor His birth. There is an old saying, “Wise men still seek Him.” That is true, but you need to know that He is the One seeking you, He knocks on the door of your heart, you open the door of your heart and let Him into your life.