Scripture
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:2-7
In the Waiting
With the hope of Jesus alive in my heart, it is very difficult for me to imagine living during the time of Isaiah. I cannot imagine that period of darkness without the hope of my Savior. I can’t imagine living without knowing that Jesus paid it all. For me.
But, God allowed this period of darkness, before Jesus came to earth, for a purpose. We have much to learn from the Israelites.
Though we have the hope of Jesus and the record of His birth, His life and His death, sometimes we live as though we are in the darkness like the people in Isaiah’s time. Sometimes we choose to stay in darkness longer than need be. Sometimes we forget that we have the hope of heaven in our hearts. We forget that we have the power of the Almighty God alive in us. We forget that the Holy Spirit resides in us to comfort and guide. With this hope, we can’t let ourselves stay in the place of despair…we must practice and persevere in hope.
Prayer
Oh Lord, You are almighty God and You have ordained all the days of history and the days of my life just the same. You are God and God alone and I worship You as my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. May I never forget the hope that is alive in me because of You and Your Son.
To print your 31 day schedule click here!
Leave a Reply