For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

How corrupt is corrupt? How far does "playing around the edges" lead to full corruption of the entire industry? I think we are finding out as gambling is now a paid sponsor of sports in general. Draft Kings has made an arrangement with New England, Dallas, and Kansas City to put "lounges" in each team's stadium. The 800-lb gorilla has begun dancing.

Corruption in sports, like any other facet of life, isn't new, but to openly embrace an activity that has led to corruption (keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall for life, Shoeless Joe before him, and a current NBA issue) is to begin flirting with that gorilla. (The analogy being you don't stop dancing with the gorilla until the gorilla says it is time to stop.)

Ahaz, king of Judah, is being given a sign after asking for one. Ahaz is one corrupt king, and Isaiah has been given a task to tell him that his dance is going to be over soon. The sign is given in Isaiah 7:14:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

I am sure that King Ahaz was as confused as anyone would be by this sign. A virgin conceives? Yet, this Son will say one day, "... with God, all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). In fact, Ahaz more or less "scoffs" at this notion.

So, Isaiah now gives this sign to Israel as one of reassurance that all will be well. This sign points to a future of peace given the reign of this new king. This sign has the mark of a Davidic king, Immanuel, who among many attributes, will be the "Prince of Peace." All of this from a child is not an impossibility and Israel knows this. A boy rescued an entire army from Goliath once, and this child will rescue Israel and us from evil, sin, Satan and death.

Christ will bring a peace unlike any we've known before. The peace of God, given to us through His Son, will rescue us from certain damnation to a reassurance of forgiveness and eternity with God.

Pray with me: Gracious Father, Help me to understand "your time." I know I am assured of a peace that surpasses my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, but there are days that I feel no peace. Help me to know that peace is there. Help me as I wait and hope in coming of Christ, his return. In Christ's name, Amen.