Hunger and wholeness

Today: Isaiah 9-12

It's an absolutely beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest! Yesterday had some dark and rainy moments--but today, the sun has been shining and it's about 78 degrees! When the sun comes out in the Northwest, people genuinely appreciate it. Parks that were empty yesterday now resemble Abercrombie & Fitch ads. Pale people are taking off their shirts and long pants--it ain't always pretty, but they're soaking up the sun while they can. :)

I ventured out to a farmer's market this morning with some friends. Several of my friends brought their young children. I think these moms (both military wives with husbands currently serving somewhere else) deserve medals. Kids are SO, SO cute, but they all have their moments. A few of those moments happened just before lunchtime when the youngest of the crew started screaming at the top of her lungs in the middle of the market. When kids are hungry, they let the world know--and they are not happy until they're satisfied.

At least hungry babies and toddlers can be satisfied with a little bit of food. But have you ever met adults whose souls are hungry--and can't find anything to fill them? Today's passage described them well:

Appetites insatiable,

stuffing and gorging themselves left and right with people and things.

But still they starved.

That seems very sad to me. I've met people who are hungry on the inside and try to fill their lives with a romantic relationship, alcohol, friends, food, material things, sports...you name it. Each of those people and things are not evil (when enjoyed in moderation), but none of them can really satisfy a hungry soul.

That's why I love that this passage provides an answer--it includes some prophetic text about Jesus (if it sounds a little like "A Charlie Brown Christmas," it's because similar verses were repeated in the New Testament when Jesus was born):

For a child has been born—for us!

the gift of a son—for us!

He'll take over the running of the world.

His names will be:

Amazing Counselor,

Strong God,

Eternal Father,

Prince of Wholeness.

His ruling authority will grow,

and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.

He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom.

He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing

and keep it going.

With fair dealing and right living,

beginning now and lasting always.

The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.

This whole prophesy is amazing, but the idea of Jesus as a "Prince of Wholeness" or "Prince of Peace" is incredibly powerful--especially for people who have insatiable emptiness in their souls. God is enough to fill that emptiness. He brings peace and restoration. When other things and people fail, He heals and satisfies.

Tomorrow: Isaiah 13-17