It’s Gonna Be A Better Day!

Isaiah 40:9 “O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” - It’s Gonna Be A Better Day! “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”

It seems to me that the greatest message of Christmas are the words of Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Thank God that Jesus was born on the day. He came to make things better for all those who would choose Him. The thesis of my message is that whenever Jesus is inserted into any equation of life, he immediately makes it better.

You and I need a deliberate determination to believe that no matter what we see or endure, BETTER is on the way. We need this deliberate determination because if we don’t have it we will allow the circumstances and setbacks of our lives to make us think that God doesn't have anything better for us. But, the Devil is a liar. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day! After these last 32 months we've had to live through. After we've had to go through all we've had to endure, it just makes sense for us to believe with everything within us that God is still able to make things better; yes, all these last 32 months of the pandemic since march of 2020 have sought to wear us out; our social life has been threatened, our worship and our fellowship has been disturbed, all that we have known life to be has been shifted; as a matter of fact it's almost as if our lives have been turned upside down because of this coronavirus and its variants, the flu, and this unknown bug with its contagion, strep going around; add to that the over 600 mass shootings this year, unprecedented weather everywhere; it seems like we're going from bad to worse, it seems like we're starting all over again.

But I hope somebody on this Christmas Day will believe God enough for better; believe God for greater things, believe God for the wonderful, the extraordinary, the incredible, the excellent, and the better. So, I’m here today in the midst of all the chaos, confusion, and conflict to tell somebody that despite how ugly it is, how bad it is, and how contagious it may be, I stand as a man of God and a man of faith to tell you It’s Gonna Be A Better Day. Hear me now, I did not say it will be perfect; I said it will be better. I am not promising you that trouble won't come in 2023. But I believe that in the midst of the problems, pain, trial, and tragedy, God still makes things Better. “All things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” Every challenge will cause a change in you for the better. And I trust God that It’s Gonna Be A Better Day.

When the angels sang “glory to God in the highest,” they were just shouting about the fact that Jesus was about to make things better. When the shepherds left their posts and went running with haste to see the baby Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem, they were just attesting to the reality that Jesus makes things better. When the crowd went searching for Jesus on the hillside, they knew Jesus makes things better. When Mary says “my soul doth magnify the Lord,” she's just saying Jesus makes things better. When Joseph decided not to divorce his wife, he was testifying that he believe this baby's gonna make things better. And so we rejoice today because we serve a Savior who makes things better.

“Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or think according to the power that is at work within us.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day. “Lift up your head oh ye gates and be lifted up you everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day. And when he comes in, he brings with him a message of preparation, permanence, and proclamation.

Isaiah chapter 40 offers great comfort for those experiencing inevitable difficult times. Isaiah chapter 40 is a turning point in Isaiah's prophecy. This prophecy of Isaiah neatly divides into two sections chapters 1 through 39 warned of the impending judgment that is to come on God's stubbornly rebellious people. By the time we get to chapter 40, there is a new section where it assumes at this point Israel has been defeated, his armies have been overtaken, the city of Jerusalem has been captured, but now Isaiah is sent to the people of God with a new message.

Isaiah 40:1–5 we see the message of preparation. The text opens in verses 1 & 2 with God speaking to the people about comfort. Even though the people had brought disaster upon themselves God is still going to bring comfort. But in order to enjoy the comfort God offers, you must prepare yourself. The people are told God is coming in verse 3, so they are to prepare the highway for him to come through! When a king would visit an area, a messenger was sent ahead of him to proclaim that he was coming. This allowed the people time to prepare the road that the king would take into town. They would ensure the road was in good condition, remove barriers, and ensure that the king had a clear path. This is the role that John the Baptist played for the arrival of Jesus. Matthew recognizes this passage is fulfilled in John the Baptist when he writes Matthew 3:3 “This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

If you are going to have a better day, then you have to make way for BETTER to come in. This preparation was not a physical road but a spiritual one. All the barriers the people created in their hearts must be surrendered to God. “If you confess your sins, God is faithful to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.” The chorus lyrics of the song Prepare Him Room, sung by Sovereign Grace Music, admonishes us. Prepare Him room, Prepare Him room, Let the King of glory enter in. And when he comes in, He comes in to stay.

Isaiah 40:6–8 is a message of permanence. It reminds us of the eternity of God. The messenger says that the people ought to cry out, and they are told to cry out this reminder that people are like grass that fades and withers. This is comforting because even though everything in this world is temporary, the word of God never ends or fades. Instead of placing our confidence in the temporary things of life; we are challenged to place them in God because he permanent. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Our hope in God is grounded in the fact that God keeps his word, and His word never fails. Therein is the final message.

Isaiah 40:9–11 is the message of proclamation. The prophet Isaiah tells us to shout the good news. See the arrival of the king, hear what he has done and will do for you, and shout about it. Talk about the might of God and his power; talk about your reward in heaven because God is here. God has promised us a great reward through Jesus. “No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day! Isaiah 41:27 “The first time I said to Zion, ‘Look, there they are!’ And I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings.” Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” Nahum 1:15 “Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off.” Luke 2:10-11 “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Our message to all those that desire a BETTER day is “Here is Your God!” Jesus Christ is born to take away the sins of the world. Jesus who would live the perfect life and so fulfill the plan of God. Jesus who destined to die for the world. Jesus who was born in a lowly place but exalted to the highest. Jesus who conquered sin, death, and the grave. Jesus who is everything we need. Jesus who makes everything BETTER. “Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard nor has it entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love him.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day! “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day! “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It’s Gonna Be A Better Day!

Thank God he was born on this Christmas Day. I declare because Christ was born It’s Gonna Be A Better Day. In Jesus’ name. If you need something BETTER today. I dare you to try Jesus. It doesn’t matter what the situation because Jesus can touch you before you leave. And one touch from Jesus will make it better. He is able to: Heal your body; Fix your messed up life; Mend your broken heart; Deal with your troubled marriage; Deliver you from any addiction; Solve any financial problem; Save your soul.

You don’t have to wait around. He can do it right now. What the devil took years to mess up God can fix with just one touch. It’s Gonna Be a Better Day!