“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:1a-3, 6-7.
Have you ever been in a cavern? My family and I have been in more than one. I remember when we went to one in Missouri and the guide asked us if we wanted to see what a real cavern looked like. We all agreed and he turned off the lights! We couldn’t see our hands in front of us! After a few seconds some people didn’t feel comfortable and they started to feel uneasy. We all froze and didn’t move until the guide turned on the lights. What a relief! Darkness is uncomfortable and it can be confusing and terrifying.
In the first verse above, God promised that there will be “no more gloom” for those who were “walking in darkness” and “living in deep darkness.” You know as well as I do, if you don’t know where you are standing and don’t know where to go while being in darkness, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable, at the beginning, then depressed and gloomy.
The prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled about two thousand years ago. There is no reason to live “in the dark”; the Light of the world came to illuminate all the aspects of our darkness. John said, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9). And the Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
It is said that in the United States one in ten adults is suffering from depression and that twenty five percent of young people suffer from some kind of depression. As of Sunday, December 10, 2017 (based on the latest United Nations estimate) the current population of the United States of America was 325,479,904. Do the math and you will see that the result is depressing! No joke! About ten percent of the population live in darkness (feeling depressed and oppressed)!
Why there are so many people still living in darkness? There are three reasons.
They don’t know about the power of the Light of the world because they haven’t heard the good news of salvation.
They know something about Jesus but still don’t have a personal relationship with Him (yet).
Just like Israel, they ignore the Light of the world, deciding to live in accordance to their own desires (remain in darkness), but the words of Jesus are still resounding “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46)
God’s desire is for His creation to live in the Light of His Son, Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. His joy, will sustain us, His power will strengthen us, His counsel will guide us, His peace will help us to endure the storms of life, His fatherly hand will lift us up when we fall, and because He is eternal, we have the promise to dwell where He dwells!
Share the good news about what He is doing in your life. This Christmas, don’t be shy, share the Light!
Pastor Eliana
