The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2
This prophetic verse of scripture gives us hope. Because it speaks of the government of the promised Son of God. We are all familiar with verse 6 of Isaiah 9, which says; For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Verse 7 goes on to tell us — Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
During these turbulent times, we can be confident in knowing that the government is upon His shoulder. Peace and justice will be established and performed by the zeal of the LORD. The power of His might is seen in the text that reveals the government resting upon His shoulder. Not His shoulders, but upon His shoulder. What a Mighty God who came from heaven to earth to reveal the divine to His people. The temporal things that are seen, do not tell the story of the invisible Kingdom that is ruled by the One who reigns over all the earth.
We have been given the mantle of bringing light to the people who walk in darkness in this present world. As long as Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world, according to John 9:5 — As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” In Matthew 5:14-16 he drops this responsibility upon you and me; “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So then, the people who walk in darkness in our generation, will see a great light when they see our light shining. When our light shines, the world glorifies our Father in heaven. Our light shines through our good works. Although works do not and cannot save us, they do draw those who walk in darkness to the Kingdom. Have you ever walked in darkness in a familiar place, like your home? You can navigate the darkness often without incident. But when you turn on a light, you can see your way much better due to the illumination that light brings. So it is, with unbelievers, they can navigate their way through the darkness without discernible incident in the world, but when the light shines, they can see their way more clearly. We are that light which will pierce the darkness.
Let us pray that the whole church will shine so bright that this dark and perverse world will be illuminated with the glory of God. Since we are the light of the world, how great is the darkness if we don’t let our light shine? So let us rise and shine, so that the people who walk in darkness can see a great light shining through you and me.
Maranatha
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