Stir Our Hearts
"Stir our hearts with longing for Your justice and peace to reign."
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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.
As we journey through the Advent season, our hearts are filled with a mixture of emotions. There is joy in anticipating the celebration of Christ's birth, the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior. But there is also a sense of longing, a deep yearning for the full realization of God's kingdom on earth. The prophet Isaiah's words echo this longing, painting a vivid picture of the one to come: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
This is no ordinary child but the one who will establish a kingdom of righteousness and justice without end. Yet, as we look around our world, we see ongoing brokenness, oppression, and conflict. Injustice and violence seem to persist despite the hope we find in the Incarnation. In moments like these, our hearts cry out, "How long, O Lord? When will your justice and peace reign?"
The Advent season calls us to nurture this longing, to stir our hearts with a fervent desire for God's kingdom to come in all its fullness. We're invited to lament the realities of sin and suffering, even as we cling to the promise that a day is coming when every tear will be wiped away. This longing is not merely a passive wish but a transformative force that compels us to action. As we await the return of the Prince of Peace, we're called to be peacemakers in our spheres of influence. We're empowered to pursue justice, to stand with the oppressed, to speak truth to power, and to work towards the reconciliation of all things.
The incarnation of Christ demonstrates that God is not content to remain distant from our brokenness. Instead, He entered the mess of human existence, taking on flesh to dwell among us. And so, our longing for God's justice and peace to reign is not just a future hope but a present reality to be made manifest through the lives of God's people. Today, may our hearts be stirred with a holy discontent - a deep dissatisfaction with how things are, coupled with a confident hope in how things will be.
Let us lift our voices in lament and praise, declaring our trust in the one who promised to make all things new. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior, let us prepare our hearts to be agents of His transforming work in the world. May our lives become signposts pointing to the day when God's justice and peace will reign supreme, and every knee will bow before the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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.
What aspects of injustice or lack of peace in our world most weigh on your heart? How can you cultivate a more profound longing for God's kingdom to come into your own life?