The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder

I had the most interesting discussion with my 21 year old son on Friday night after he got home from work. As we were discussing all that was going in our country, he noted that many of his friends are just so sick of it all. They don’t even care how it turns out anymore, because it’s all their parents talk about now. He said that a girl he worked with that evening was even bemoaning the fact that her mother doesn’t care about what’s going on in her life anymore at all… just what’s in the news.

I’m not here to talk about the attitude or short-sightedness of the younger generation today. But I was struck by something that I wanted to share with you.

Camden’s friends are right, you know. Right now, we are living in a crazy, uncertain, seemingly upside-down time. Many of us are gravely concerned about the future of our nation— and by extension, the future for our children. I’m pretty sure in many of our homes, the conversation has ended up on these topics more in recent days.

I was convicted as he walked, because quite frankly, I’ve gotten pretty hung up in all the drama swirling around, and I’m certain that the lack of knowing who or what to trust has had an incredibly unsettling impact on my heart.

I’ve found myself being anxious- and I imagine my children could see it, too.

But then after Camden left my room, and I was talking to God about our conversation, something came to my attention that I hadn’t actually meditated on before.

“And the government shall be upon His shoulder…” (Isaiah 9:6) Isn’t it amazing how words you’ve read a million times take on new meaning in different situations. God’s Word truly IS living!

The government shall be upon the shoulder of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

He is worthy of my trust, whether I like or understand what He’s allowing to take place or not.

Isn’t it ironic that during the season we are most tuned in to celebrating that Child Who was prophesied and born to take away the sins of the world, we also get to realize in a brand new way that we need to trust him for matters in our nation as well?

So the question for me that night— as it is for you– do I trust Him? I have worshipped Him my whole life. I have praised Him for every one of the names mentioned in that verse in Isaiah, but I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever really thought about the fact that the Government shall be upon His shoulder.

That is, until Friday night. Since then, it’s been on my mind a whole lot more. The way I’ve interacted with my children about current events has been a lot more full of peace, because I am resting in the reminder that I can deeply trust the One we’re celebrating right now— and I can definitely trust my children’s future to Him.

I have thought much of the assessment of Camden’s co-worker. I wonder if any other children feel like they’re being overlooked right now?

I’d say as Teach Them Diligently parents, we want to make absolutely sure that we’re modeling a calm faith for them— and continuing to intentionally spend every day to teach and train them to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. There are SO MANY great conversations to be had right now. I hope you aren’t missing out on any of them!