Isaiah 9:6 - Our Everlasting Father
Our Everlasting Father
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called ... Everlasting Father." (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)
One of the great blessings of my life is that God gave me a great father. My dad was a source of encouragement, wisdom and blessings as I grew up. He taught me to hunt and fish and shared with me a love of music. Most importantly, my dad shared Jesus with me and modeled for me what it meant to be a Christian husband, father and leader.
I recognize that many in our world did not receive this gift. They had earthly fathers who were cruel, absent, abusive, unloving and self-centered. In Isaiah’s day, the king was often viewed as a father for his people, having the responsibility to lead, protect and provide for his people.
While I had a good earthly father, he was not everlasting. He was a sinner and the wages of sin are death. He went to be with Christ several years ago.
In the season of Advent, we remember the gift of a child, born in a manger in a tiny village in Bethlehem. That little child grew to show us that God is the Everlasting Father. He perfectly modeled God’s love, care, wisdom and blessing. He directed our love and our worship to a heavenly Father who gave His only begotten Son so that we could be His children! When it seemed that Jesus was not everlasting or eternal, He rose from the grave and gave us the gift of life and forgiveness.
His promise is that all who trust in Him will share eternity with Him. What a gift! What a Father!
Lord, our God, we praise You for sending Jesus into our world. Thank You for showing us love, care and making us Your children. Thank You for being our Everlasting Father. Help us to share Your gifts of encouragement, wisdom and blessing with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
- Rev. Mark Schumm, Oneida, Wisconsin
Thank you for reading our 2015 Advent Devotions. It is our hope that you feel more connected to our ministry and that your commitment to bring Christ's Kingdom to every Native American Nation has been strengthened.
Through your faithful and generous gifts, we are touching hearts and minds for Jesus. With your support, we can expand our reach and continue to share God’s Word with Native Americans, urging them to spread the Word and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ among their own.
If the Spirit moves you, we ask that you don’t delay in generously sharing your blessings by making a gift to Lutheran Indian Ministries – today! Thank you for your financial support and your faithful prayers.