Time with Jesus - Friday, 06 April
2012
Hi all,
In the Scriptures today,
Isaiah 9:6 appears three times as indicated in the quote. 6 A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: (1) Wonderful Counsellor, (2) Mighty God, Everlasting Father, (3) Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 GW I’ve
combined two of them to preserve the quoted Scripture portion to manageable proportions.
I’ve often wondered why we are
told that, 1) a child will be born for us and 2) a son will be given to us. At
first I thought it was just semantics. So I consulted a couple of commentaries.
The Believer’s Bible Commentary stated: The First
Advent is described in verse 6a: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given." The first
clause speaks of His humanity, the second of His deity: Isaiah 9:6
This made a lot of sense and
I’ve incorporated this into today’s meditation. Thus you find them highlighted
in the Scripture portion and emphasised in the poetry portion.
The meditation has been
compiled as a dialog with the Lord. The two colours make it easier to follow.
The topic emphasises Jesus’ Humanity and His Divinity to assist us understand
the Scripture.
I wonder what was in Isaiah’s
mind when he wrote this Scripture. Seldom were the prophets even remotely aware
that their words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I suspect that if they had
been, they would have been terrified. The insight was so “normal” that they had
no clue of Divine influence. I’ve noticed this in my own life. On the odd occasion
when I’ve been used by the Lord in any capacity, it was so normal that I was
completely unaware what was taking place. For this I thank God. I’m sure that
if something abnormal took place whereby I was convinced that what I was about
to say or do was motivated by the Lord, I would have run away! It’s altogether
too awesome to consider seriously!
Many years ago I heard a man
speak about this in his own life. The comments above more or less correspond
with what he said. He was afraid of getting into pride because of what
happened. This terrifies me too. If I knew that my next few words were directly
from the Lord, I think I would be struck dumb. It’s not something to brag about
but something very humbling.
The meditation is an open
invitation for people to come to Him. The invitation is open to us from birth
to death. After that the opportunity has gone.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Your Open Invitation
To know Him is to trust Him. This
is forever true!
But you will never know Him, until He’s met with you.
It seems a contradiction and also
rather odd.
But if we are to know Him, we first must meet with
God.
But where’s the invitation for us
to go and meet?
Is it in the market place or on a busy street?
This is the burning question in
more that just one sense.
For if we’re not in contact, what will be your defence,
If He turns round and says to you, “You never even tried,
To come and meet your Maker. No effort on your side,
Was made by you to contact Me. You
seldom had the time,
For anyone except yourself. This is your greatest
crime.
My doors were ever open and just
one little prayer,
Was all you ever needed; but you just didn’t care.
There were too many baubles
attracting you away!
And there was never time enough to hear what I would
say.
You missed out on the blessings through
the power of My Name.
To you, your sojourn on the earth, was just a little
game.
And yet a child was born to you,
an ordinary man. Isaiah 9:6 - Humanity
Deliberately chosen to fit into My plan.
He had to take on Satan and never
ever sin.
A person fully human to represent your kin,
Or He would be disqualified. An
angel wouldn’t do.
He had to be a person, a man the
same as you.
Yet in his full humanity, He had
to be Divine;
And so a Son was given. The only Son of Mine. Isaiah 9:6 - Divinity
Humanity united with Divinity in
One.
A sinless individual whom man could look upon.
He came here as a servant. No
title and no rank.
And by the very life He lived, the “ship of Satan”
sank!
Each moment He was on the earth
He had to spend with me.
Yet represent your people simultaneously!
So why was it so difficult? For
you one little glance,
Would be of such sufficiency, that you would have the
chance,
To live with us forever! But you
would not comply.
So you must reap the consequence. Indeed you have to
die,
Outside of the protection that I
had offered you.
You showed you didn’t want it; and I’ll respect your
view.
Your lifestyle demonstrated the
way you wish to go.
Do not try and lie to Me and say you didn’t know!
My brother or my sister, you’ll
surely rue the day,
If you reject the Master before you pass away.
Spend some time with Jesus. If
you’ll invite Him in,
You will not know the consequence of your disgusting
sin.
Repent and cry out to Him, to be one
of His own.
Then follow in obedience, the way His Word has shown,
Jim Strickland – Written 6th April 2012
