Every Good Gift: A 28-Day Advent DevotionalPrimjer

The book of Isaiah is filled with prophecies about the coming of a Saviour. It’s the book that Jesus reads from at the start of His public life. And it is filled with poetic and prophetic passages about peace. 

The prophet Isaiah lived in tumultuous times—not unlike many seasons we have walked through. And yet, he boldly wrote about a peace that would ultimately be brought about by the birth of a child who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. A Saviour who would endure a punishment to bring us peace—and by His wounds we are healed. 

It’s no coincidence that the book of Isaiah also speaks extensively of justice for the poor and marginalized. As we’ve read this week, this is at the heart of this good news that Isaiah writes so passionately about. 

As people who follow Jesus, we are messengers of good news that can bring joy, peace, hope and justice to a world that so desperately needs it. We can be—in fact, we are called to be—the kind of people Isaiah writes about in Isaiah 52:7: 

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, 

who proclaim peace,  

who bring good tidings, 

who proclaim salvation,  

who say to Zion, 

‘Your God reigns!’” 

Peace, good tidings and salvation. Isn’t this what the Advent season is all about?  

Today, consider how you can be a messenger of the good news that Jesus has come—God with us—to bring us peace. 

Prayer: 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace… King Jesus. Thank You for the peace You bring to us. Thank You for the good news of Your presence, that enables us to experience peace even when life is uncertain. Thank You for the good news of Your redeeming work, that enables us to cultivate peace in the world around us. Help us to be messengers of Your good news, that we may proclaim peace and salvation to a world that so desperately needs it. In Your name, Amen.