He is the Lifter of my HeadIsaiah 9:1-7

Dr. Joseph Chang6/8/2014BOLGPC

• 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isa 9:1-2)

• 29In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria. (2King 15:29)

I. No more gloom for those who were in distress

• 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isa 9:1-2)

John McCain (1967-1973)

II. Honor the ones who were humbled.

• 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isa 9:1-2)

II. Honor the ones who were humbled.

• 8He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. . . . (1Sam 2:8a, Ps 113:7)

III. The ones who walk in darkness will see great light.

• 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isa 9:1-2)

Barbarians Invasion of Rome

A scene of the Chinese campaign against the Miao in Hunan, 1795

• 中國稱呼四方的人為四夷 : 東夷 , 南蠻 , 西戎 , 北狄 . Four barbarians.

• God’s attribute 神的屬性• 17He who is kind to the poor lends to the

LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Prov 19:17)

• 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matt 5:42)

IV. He desires to see the positive things happen in this world.

• 3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

IV. He desires to see the positive things happen in this world.

• 6For 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 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isa 9:3-7)

IV. He desires to see the positive things happen in this world.

• At least three:• A. Rejoice 歡喜快樂 (Isa 9:3)• B. Shatter our yoke, remove our burden 重擔脫落 (Isa 9:4)• C. Everlasting Peace 和平降臨 (Isa 9:5-7)

This is our God

• 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (Jam 1:17)

2nd Law of Thermal Dynamics

• A. Is our living quarters more upkeep or seriously deteriorating?

• B. When we wake up after long saddening happenings around us, should we be joyful?

• C. Do we suppose to honor our fellow citizens when they seem to be down and trodden and despised?