I recently climbed into bed feeling restless. My mind was racing and although I needed sleep, I could not settle. As I lay there wide-eyed, I reached for my huge study Bible and opened it to a random page. I used to read the Bible like this all the time but it was never as effective as my current daily discipline of studying a section at a time. This particular evening though, I was desperate for something to anchor my mind. I opened up to Isaiah 9 and started reading.
“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish…
2 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…
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 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.”
I wept. Peace washed over me as I read this beautiful passage about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Isaiah the prophet spoke these words about seven hundred years before Jesus was born. It resonated then of the promise of one who would come and help humanity in their time of darkness and distress, when they longed for reassurance and lacked peace. More than seven hundred years later Jesus fulfilled that promise when he was born and more than two thousand years after his death and resurrection, he is still fulfilling that promise.
With tears streaming down my face I felt beautifully reassured by God’s word. The promise of the coming Messiah was peace to the prophet Isaiah, his birth brought peace to those who had waited in hope for him and because he is the same yesterday, today and forever he is my peace today. He is your peace today. Jesus spoke peace to the anxious disciples who were drowning in the midst of a stormy sea.
“‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm”
Mark 4:39
He spoke peace to me that night through his Word and he speaks peace to you right now. Hear God speak over your life. “Peace. Be still.”
© 2021 by Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
