Look Beyond the Darkness
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy; they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the days of Midian. For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood shall be for burning, for fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…”( Isaiah 9:2-6 ASV). “In him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not (John 1:4-5 ASV).
At the time Jesus arrived, Israel was downcast and filled with those who either did not believe anymore or had compromised the message of the one true God. There were the excesses of the Roman lifestyle on display and a dominant intellectual message that promoted self over all. It sounds familiar. Consider the darkness of the modern world, the blindness to the things of God, an inhumanity and insensitivity all around. Yet God walks among us and does not despair. He hungers to know us and bring us relief. We must not focus on the darkness, but the darkness does serve to clarify the light’s location and beauty; the light always penetrates. There was a great darkness at Abraham’s covenant sacrifice, and an even more meaningful one at Calvary. What did it mean?
It fascinates me that the astronomers tell us the starlight we see is very old. It has been coming toward us at great velocity for a long, long time. So God has been reaching toward man for so long, and he is not finished. Isaiah saw a time of rejoicing like that after harvest or battle, or as we would translate — after payday or after a promotion. Isaiah saw a hero better than those depicted by Hollywood; he saw the battle against evil finished, the soiled combat fatigues rolled up for burning, the strength of the enemy destroyed, and a military leader to follow that will inspire us and see to our benefit individually and nationally. His promises are sure. We will understand them better in the unfolding of the years to come.
Have you been looking only at the darkness? The Messiah has come! He is more than the baby of the carols; he is Prince of Peace.
Oh Lord, help me to renew that Christmas joy that comes with knowing you personally, daily. I want others to see that you are so much more than the tiny baby. I want you to lead me. I want the light of your joy and wisdom to be reflected in my life. Let my light shine before others so that they will see your work and glorify you.
I am thankful that God sent His son to redeem us. Christmas is just the beginning.
Amen! May we see the Light of Jesus in a dark world.