Merry Christmas

The Government will be upon His shoulders…

I wish to share with you a message of hope during this season as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6 has always been a source of comfort and inspiration for me: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the joy and peace that Jesus brings into our lives.

Embarking on this political journey as your state senator, I have acutely felt the burden of responsibility, to the point of exhaustion, as many of you have reached out to me with the challenges and hardships in your lives. These difficulties stem from our expanding government and the increasing financial burdens placed on taxpayers. This experience has prompted me to delve deeper into understanding what it means when it is said, “the government will rest on His shoulders”.

The Messiah is known as the Wonderful Counselor because He is God, who is the True source of all wisdom. When He governs the earth, His rule will be clear and sure, with no doubts or confusion. He is the absolute and only real solution to any political uncertainty.

Many politicians seek guidance from various sources. They consult with each other, heed the advice of special interest groups, and rely on a diverse array of advisors. However, the King of kings, in contrast, relies on His own counsel. After all, as Isaiah 40:13 questions, “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him?” This highlights the unparalleled wisdom and guidance that He possesses.

Legislation can go only so far; it stops short of providing the power and the will to obey. Because of the sinful nature, people will always strain against law and order (Romans 7:8). Add human fallibility to the inability to make people obey from the heart, and you can see the severe limitations of political and legislative solutions.

When Jesus Christ returns to reign over the earth, He will use His divine power to transform chaos into order. For those who resist submitting to His authority from within, He will assert control with firm resolve, as referenced in Psalm 2:9, Revelation 2:27, 12:5, and 19:15. Conversely, those who sincerely humble themselves, acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior, will experience the empowering force of the Mighty God in their lives, aiding them in their obedience.   

Life is becoming increasingly complicated. With advancements in technology, things like communication, travel, business, culture, and religion are now worldwide. Instead of simplifying these complexities, governments often seem to make them more complicated. They create large bureaucracies to manage these issues, but this often just makes life even more confusing.

The government of the Messiah is simple and uncomplicated. He is the sole ruler, without the presence of an overgrown bureaucracy, and He knows everything from the beginning to the end, as He is the Father of Eternity.

In the Messiah's kingdom, there are no conflicts because He is the Prince of Peace. He extends peace from God (Romans 1:7) to all who receive His grace. To those who surrender to Him in faith, He offers peace with God (Romans 5:1). Additionally, He provides the peace of God (Philippians 4:7) to those who walk alongside Him.

Why should we place our hope in His mercy? Because as sinners, we require His forgiveness (Romans 3:23). Acknowledging this truth is essential before we can submit our lives to His governance. We must realize that He sacrificed His sinless, blameless life for us, dying for our sins to save us from God’s just wrath (Romans 5:6-9). Furthermore, we must be prepared to turn away from our sins and accept Him through faith, understanding that His favor is something we can never earn by ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But secondly, the angel’s announcement of “peace on earth” declared the arrival of the only One who ultimately can bring lasting peace on earth. Jesus Christ will bring lasting peace in the final establishment of His earthly kingdom. As we already mentioned, He will ensure “peace on earth” over the rebellious at heart by wielding a “rod of iron.” There will be no rebellion, no insurrection, not even the slightest threat to disturb the peace He brings to the world.

I eagerly anticipate the day of His return when He will implement the ultimate political solution that will genuinely establish world peace. His government is unparalleled because it is led by the greatest ruler, often described as the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." He is humanity's sole source of hope.

He is El Shaddai—the all-sufficient, omnipotent God. His wisdom is more than adequate to handle any situation, regardless of how threatening or intricate it might seem to us. He has the power to safeguard and steer His endeavors, even in the most challenging and disheartening situations. We should realize that our moments of despair are opportunities to learn.

I also hope that your life is under His governance, that He reigns in your heart even now. It is only then that you will encounter the ever-increasing peace that can only be found in the Prince of Peace.