Everyone in Jerusalem, celebrate and shout!
Your king has won a victory, and he is coming to you.
He is humble and rides on a donkey;
he comes on the colt of a donkey.
10 I, the Lord, will take away war chariots and horses from Israel and Jerusalem.
Bows that were made for battle will be broken.
I will bring peace to nations, and your king will rule from sea to sea.
His kingdom will reach from the Euphrates River across the earth.
11 When I made a sacred agreement with you, my people, we sealed it with blood.
Now some of you are captives in waterless pits,
but I will come to your rescue 12 and offer you hope.
Return to your fortress, because today I will reward you with twice what you had. Isaiah 9:9-12 (CEV)
It is easy to see, 2000 years later, the connection between this passage and Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday. But Jesus is also coming back another time, isn’t He?
Jesus has won the great victory already over death and evil (Revelation 1:18). I have heard and read many suppositions on the time and circumstances of Jesus’ return. But when He does come, He will bring the final unity and peace – eventually and forever.
Like the people Isaiah was speaking to, we are challenged to have faith that God will fulfill the promises He has proclaimed. We look at the wars, the suffering of children and others who are victimized by evil, and we lament the failure of governments to bring about justice.
During Jesus’ time here on earth, He did not address the Roman government nor did He get entangled in local governments. He did address, however, church leaders who used their power for their own gain (Matthew 23:23).
“… I will come to your rescue and offer you hope.” When praying for people who are in painful seasons, I end my prayer time with a psalm that proclaims the goodness and integrity of the LORD. I leave my heart with the LORD who is my Hope and strength for another day. And keeping a prayer journal also reminds me how God keeps His promises and never leaves me – leaves us – but walks with us through all that each day brings.
I will trust the LORD and not rely on my own limited knowledge and understanding. And every day I will acknowledge Him and thank Him for His great love and faithfulness.
God is in Control written by Twila Paris & sung by Avalon
