The Increase of God’s Reign

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Is 9:6-7)

In these few months, and more recently in the past week, we witnessed many events in our nation which seem to point to greater religious polarization. Religious issues have become ever more sensitive than before in certain sections of our society. The return of the Christian literatures containing the word “Allah” by Majlis Agama Islam Selangor, MAIS through the Sultan of Selangor has been hailed by many as a gesture of grace, goodwill and understanding, but by some as a sign of “weakness”.

Amidst all these, as the Church of Jesus Christ, and as we approach the celebration of His birth, we need to ask the Lord how best to pray for our nation, and what God wants us to do? Jesus came into this world, as foretold by Isaiah, to bring forth His Kingdom of Peace as the Prince of Peace, to establish His rule in the hearts of man. Unless we see Jesus as the One who brings forth true peace by reconciling us to God, we will know no peace in our hearts. Until we receive true peace from the hands of the Prince of Peace, we cannot share peace with others.

“Believers do business with full conviction of divine authority as agents of His promise to increase. As His people we are to occupy, understanding what the will of the Lord is; we are governors and tutors who advance the Kingdom with prayer and righteous living. As blessing carriers, we are His government on Earth—demonstrators of the promised increase, divine government for the blessing and benefit of the whole world.” (Adopted from Shirley Weaver’s Devotional)

Seek to encounter this Prince of Peace who has come, and who desires to live among us during this time. For His name is Emmanuel, truly God is with us!