November 30, 2025 - The Promised Gift (Isaiah 9:1-7 - John Shearhart)

Devotional

Day 1: The promised King brings light, freedom, and rejoicing.

In the midst of a people walking in darkness, the promised ruler arrives to multiply the nation, increase joy, break the yoke of oppression, burn up the implements of war, and secure lasting peace—this passage calls you to see the arrival of a Savior who transforms scarcity into plenty and bondage into rejoicing; put your hope in the one whose government rests upon his shoulder. [42:07]

Isaiah 9:2-7 (ESV)
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 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.

Reflection: This week, identify one area where you feel scarcity or bondage (fear, guilt, loneliness, a strained relationship). What is a concrete first step you can take today to hand that specific area to Christ and ask him to bring multiplication, freedom, or joy?

Day 2: God’s love gave His only Son for our eternal life.

God’s greatest act is giving his most treasured Son so that sinners can be restored to life; this gift defines Christmas and calls each person to trust in the Son as the living sign of God’s love and salvation. [28:47]

John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who doubts God’s love or needs to hear about the gift of Christ? What specific step will you take this week to share God’s gift with them (a conversation, a note, an invitation to church), and when will you do it?

Day 3: Immanuel — God with us in unsettling times.

When hearts shake like leaves in a storm, the sign given is Immanuel—God with us—calling the frightened to be careful, be quiet, and not to fear; trust that God is present in your unsettled places and let that presence steady your soul. [34:14]

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Reflection: In a specific anxious moment this week (a conversation, a bill, a doctor’s appointment), practice the discipline Isaiah prescribes: be careful (listen), be quiet (stop frantic activity), and refuse fear; what will you do differently in that moment to remember “God with us”?

Day 4: Wait, hope, and heed God’s word amid darkness.

When the world presses in and spiritual dawn seems hidden, the faithful response is to wait for the Lord and hope in him; clinging to God’s word brings light where others who reject it are thrust into deeper darkness—choose to fix your heart on God’s promises rather than on panic. [36:34]

Isaiah 8:17 (ESV)
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Reflection: Choose one promise from Scripture that speaks to your current fear or need. Write it on a card, place it where you’ll see it daily, and every morning this week read it aloud and pray, “Lord, I will wait and hope in you” — when will you place that card today?

Day 5: The Son existed before creation; He is God with us.

The child given is not merely a newborn in a manger but the eternal Word who was with God and was God; this truth means the ruler who brings counsel, power, fatherly care, and peace is not a distant idea but the one who entered history to rule and redeem—rest in his strength and his personal knowledge of you. [42:47]

John 1:1-3 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Reflection: Reflect on one personal worry you treat as if God doesn’t know its details. Write a short prayer today naming that worry to the eternal Word who knows you intimately, then surrender that specific worry to him and note one practical action you will stop or start as an act of trust.

Sermon Summary

I’m grateful to begin Advent together by turning our eyes to the greatest gift God has given: his Son. We walked into Isaiah 7–9 and stepped into Judah’s fear: Assyria loomed, hearts shook like leaves in a storm, and faith felt thin. Into that darkness God spoke a promise—Immanuel, God with us—and called his people to steadiness: be careful, be quiet, do not fear; if you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. Isaiah then looked ahead and saw a great light: joy like harvest time, victory like dividing the spoil, and the end of war itself. Why? Because to us a child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government will rest on his shoulder.

Isaiah names this Son so we can know how to live in this hope now. He is the Wonderful Counselor—his wisdom is not trivia for life hacks but God’s path to life itself. Much of it feels upside down to our pride—reconcile first, give generously, serve lowly—but it is the only way out of the dark. He is the Mighty God—the warrior who has already won the decisive battles over sin, death, and the devil. We don’t fight for victory but from it, trusting his strength where ours has failed. He is the Everlasting Father—not confusing the persons of the Trinity, but promising a King who fathers his people with personal care. He knows your name, your fears, your needs, and he holds you fast. And he is the Prince of Peace—the ruler who secures and sustains peace not by the sword but by his sovereign presence. Even in the valley, there are green pastures and still waters because he is near.

So here is the call of Advent: put your hope in God’s Son. Listen to his counsel. Trust his strength. Rest in his love. Live in his peace. Where your heart is shaking, let his government settle you.

Key Takeaways

1. Be firm in faith today. When life shakes, faith is not a mood but a foundation. God’s word calls us to be careful, quiet, and courageous because firmness flows from trusting his character, not controlling outcomes. Faith refuses to let fear write the story and chooses to wait, hope, and obey in the dark. Stand where God has spoken, and you will stand. [35:43]
2. Listen to the Wonderful Counselor. Jesus’ counsel aims at our deepest loves, not just our latest problems. Often his wisdom feels backward—go first to reconcile, open your hands to give, kneel to serve—but it alone leads out of darkness into life. Open Scripture and practice obedience where it is hardest; light comes on the path of practiced truth. [46:52]
3. Trust the Mighty Warrior-God. Your fiercest enemies—sin, death, and the devil—are already disarmed by Christ’s cross and resurrection. Trust moves you from frantic striving to courageous repentance, letting his strength carry what your strength cannot. Name the battle, take his counsel, and bank on his power to do what you cannot do for yourself. [55:02]
4. Rest in the Father’s love. Jesus rules like a true father—knowing, protecting, and holding his children. This is not abstract care; it is personal, particular, and present, which makes honest prayer and quiet hearts possible. Resting in his love releases the need to prove, control, or hide and makes room for joy. [61:15]
5. Live from the Prince’s peace. Peace is not escape; it is the settled confidence that God is sovereign and near. Let his rule set the thermostat of your soul—green pastures and still waters even in the valley. Practice stillness, gratitude, and trust, and watch his peace guard your heart and mind. [64:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:40] - Back from rest; Advent begins
[28:21] - The greatest gift: God gave
[29:14] - Isaiah 9 introduced
[30:11] - Israel’s crisis and Immanuel
[35:19] - Be firm in faith
[38:48] - The light and the victory
[42:07] - Child born; Son given; true King
[44:42] - Wonderful Counselor: wisdom for the dark
[52:11] - Mighty God: the battle is won
[56:06] - Everlasting Father: held and known
[61:30] - Prince of Peace: living unshaken
[64:54] - Advent responses and sending
[65:25] - Kids lead thanksgiving song
[65:53] - Closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 9:2–7 — 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 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.

Observation Questions

What images and actions does Isaiah 9:2–5 use to describe the change from "darkness" to "light" and freedom? Which of these images stands out most to you and why?
List the four names given to the coming child in Isaiah 9:6. What basic role or promise does each name communicate from the text? (This was emphasized by the preacher when he introduced the names.) [44:42]
In the sermon the pastor explained the immediate historical context (Judah’s fear and Isaiah’s message to King Ahaz). According to that explanation, what command did God give to Ahaz and the people in Isaiah 7, and what was its purpose? [34:14]
The preacher highlighted a short line in Isaiah’s earlier message: “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” Where was that said and how does Isaiah 9:2–7 answer that call for firmness? [35:43]

Interpretation Questions

When the sermon calls Jesus the “Wonderful Counselor” and urges people to “listen to his counsel,” what kind of counsel is being pointed to (practical life tips, spiritual formation, moral direction)? How should a believer test whether advice or a decision reflects Christ’s counsel rather than personal preference? [46:52]
The pastor taught that “Mighty God” means the battle is won and we can trust his strength. How does that claim change the way a believer should respond to ongoing struggles (sin, addiction, relational brokenness)? What limits, if any, should a person expect when “trusting his strength”? [55:02]
Calling the king “Everlasting Father” was explained as a picture of personal care rather than confusing Trinitarian persons. What specific comforts does that father-role promise give to people who feel unknown, unloved, or anxious? How does that differ from common human fathers or leaders? [01:01:15]
The sermon says the Prince of Peace rules so that even in valleys there are green pastures and still waters. How should that picture shape a Christian’s response to fear, financial stress, or grief in the present—not just in the future hope? [01:04:00]

Application Questions

The preacher quoted Isaiah’s command: “Be careful, be quiet, do not fear; if you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” Identify one situation in your life right now where “your heart is shaking like the trees.” What one specific step (a quieting practice, Scripture to memorize, person to call) will you take this week to be “careful” and “quiet” in that situation? [35:19]
The sermon urged Christians to “listen to the Wonderful Counselor” and follow spiritual wisdom even when it feels backwards (reconcile first; give; serve). Name one relationship where pride has kept you from making the first move. What exactly will you do this week to take a humble, reconciliatory step? (Be concrete: call, apologize, meet, ask forgiveness.)
On trusting the Mighty God: pick a present struggle—an addiction, a recurring sin, a broken relationship, or a fear—that feels beyond your strength. What one practical action will you commit to this week that shows you are trusting Christ’s power (join a support group, meet with an accountability partner, start a repentance practice, begin counseling)? [55:02]
To “rest in the Father’s love” the pastor encouraged quiet reliance on being known and held. What is one short prayer or truth you can rehearse the next three mornings to replace the need to prove or control? How will you remind yourself of it during the day? [01:01:15]
The Prince of Peace call was about living unshaken in the valley. When stress or panic arises (bills, exams, job pressure), what three specific habits will you practice this month to cultivate peace—e.g., five minutes of stillness and Scripture, a gratitude list, a trusted friend to text—and when will you do them? [01:04:00]
The sermon linked Isaiah’s promise to the church’s mission (the kingdom is at hand). Who is one person in your circle (neighbor, coworker, family member) who needs to see the light of Christ? What is one concrete gospel-shaped thing you will do this week to share hope with them (invite to church, offer to pray, bring a meal, share a testimony)?
The preacher emphasized waiting and hope (“I will wait for the Lord… I will hope in him”). In the next two weeks, what is one area where you will practice patient waiting instead of immediately taking control? How will you measure whether you are growing in hope rather than anxiety? [36:34]

Sermon Clips

If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. If you can't trust God, if you can't look to God and find strength in God, you are not going to have a solid life. You will have no firmness in life, no foundation in life, because that's our solid rock. That's what we stand on. That's how Isaiah is able to go, yeah, the world's kind of falling apart around us right now. The king of Assyria has already attacked a couple places and taken over Israel. The tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun, he's already taken the people out as captives and spread them out and brought foreigners in. [00:35:45] (36 seconds) #FaithIsOurRock

And the thing that I want from you more than anything else, if you're here today and you feel like you've failed and you're struggling with guilt, and you're like, I just don't know if I can be accepted. I don't know if I can move on from this. Or maybe you're here this morning and you're feeling discouraged because, man, life just isn't like it should be. Maybe you're having a hard time in your marriage. Maybe there's a brokenness between you and your kids. Maybe there's something going on at work that's just keeping you uneasy. Maybe you need some encouragement. Maybe you need to be fortified in your faith. I want you to do this one thing more than anything else. Put your hope in God's son. [00:37:29] (36 seconds) #PutHopeInJesus

When Christ comes and he establishes his kingdom, we have life. And he says it's like people who get all this food and now they know that they're going to be alive for another year. There's some security. It's like people who have won a great battle and now they're dividing the spoil and they're enjoying the benefits. That's what it's like when you reign. For the yoke of his burden, verse 4, the yoke that was on my back is what he's saying. And the staff for his shoulder and the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. You have completely broken every bond that kept us chained down. You have set us free. [00:40:46] (40 seconds) #HeBreaksChains

But see, it's pride and it's ignorance that gets in the way. And the same thing happens to us with Christ when we hear things in the gospel like, hey, if you want to really be blessed, give your stuff away and open up your hands. No, no, no, no. That's not how we do it. Christmas is about me getting gifts. See, I want more. And your way is kind of backwards to my way. Your way says, if there's a problem with your brother, you go and fix it. If you know that your brother has a problem with you, you go and fix it. [00:50:36] (33 seconds) #HumbleGenerosity

And Jesus says, I came and I washed feet. Man, that's backwards, but it's wise. It's backwards sounding to me and it goes against the pride that I have and it goes against the ignorance that I have. But when I follow his way and I do the things that he wants me to do, what I have learned is that he is a counselor who is full of wisdom. He is a wonderful counselor. Anybody else have that experience? And so if you're here this morning and you feel like you're in darkness, you feel like the leaves of your heart are shaking because of fear or because of some kind of confusion, start right here. Listen to his counsel, open up his word and find out what he has to say. [00:51:22] (45 seconds) #ListenToHisCounsel

God is on the throne. He's in complete control and there's nothing in your life that's happening right now that is outside of what he is able to save you from. Do you believe that God is a mighty warrior? Do you believe that God is a mighty warrior who serves you? Yeah, we serve him. But he came washing feet as a mighty warrior. He came to protect us and to guide us through everything that we need. And as much as those people are rejoicing because the yoke of the oppressor is broken, our oppressor is destroyed. We're no longer slaves to sin. [00:54:16] (39 seconds) #MightyServantKing

The promise that Jesus makes, God has given us the greatest gift. The promise is that we will have a wise counselor, we will have an almighty God and we will have an everlasting father who knows us personally and individually. God knows you. You come here this morning and you're like, you know, I mean, I've got a lot of problems and I know theoretically, I know on the big scale of things that the battle is won and that God can solve my problems and yeah, I know I'm going to die and then, you know, everything will be better then. Is that it? You kind of know what to do and one day it'll all get fixed. [00:58:24] (43 seconds) #KnownByGod

This is how God sees you. He is your everlasting father and so if you're here this morning if you are not firm in faith you will not be firm at all. I'm here this morning to remind you that if you don't feel loved you have a father who loves you more than you can possibly love your own kids and so rest in his love. That's your response. Rest in his love. Calm yourself with that. He knows me. He knows my name and he calls me. [01:00:44] (45 seconds) #RestInHisLove

Wonderful counselor mighty God everlasting father prince of peace. You can put your hope in God's son because he is the prince of peace and what that literally means prince it doesn't mean like you know king and then you have the prince it means ruler chief. He's the one in charge of the peace. He's not going to just get rid of Israel's enemies the Assyrians he's going to get rid of warfare completely. He's going to get rid of warriors completely. There will be no more need for warrior's boots. There will be no more need for blood stained shirts. There will be no more need for weapons because when he reigns on the throne and isn't that interesting most kings conquer and hold what they get through war. He conquers and holds through peace. [01:01:30] (54 seconds) #ReignByPeace

``Let me remind you that you have a wonderful counselor and you can listen to His counsel. You have an almighty God and you can trust in His strength. You have an everlasting Father and you can rest in His love and you have the Prince of Peace and you can live in that peace so that it is a peace that passes even understanding. That's what this Christmas is going to be. That's what this series is going to be. [01:04:57] (28 seconds) #WonderfulCounselor

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