Oct. 8, 2020
This week our family has been reading part of the book of Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet who lived approximately 700 years before Jesus was born. According to the NIV Study Bible, Isaiah’s name means “The Lord saves.” That is interesting because he prophesied about the One who would be born of a virgin and be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). The prophet goes on to describe some other names of the Messiah in the ninth chapter of his book: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. How can Jesus be the Son of God and the Everlasting Father? As our Lord told the Jews: “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58) and “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). The NIV Study Bible has this explanation: “Jesus did not say ‘I was’ but ‘I am,’ expressing the eternity of his being and his oneness with the Father (see John 1:1). With this climactic statement Jesus concludes his speech that began with the related claim, ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12).”
As our neighbours to the south head toward an election, many are asking “Who is telling the truth?” After the debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris last night, one of the television networks had a segment that featured several “fact checks,” comparing what was said during the debate with actual figures and events. If what I read on the Internet is true, Ronald Reagan was a Democrat before he became a Republican. I looked his name up because I wanted to find how old he was when he became President of the United States. The answer is 69. In reading a brief biography online, I learned several things about Ronald Reagan, including the fact that he was the first divorced person to become President of the U.S.A. One thing that is indisputable is that there was only one person who always told the truth: the Lord Jesus. Politicians and people from all walks of life would do well to look to Him for help in navigating the tumultuous times in which we are living.
Scripture for the weekend: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true – even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 (NIV)
Thought for the weekend: “If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” – Warren W. Wiersbe
Steve