From Mark R

Pray: That the light of Jesus would shine into our lives and into our communities this Advent.

Isaiah 9:1-6.

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

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 as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

will be fuel for the fire.

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.

As we move deeper into winter, isn’t it difficult to remember the long summer days filled with sunshine? (as well as some rain!). Once the clocks go back, it seems as though we’re suddenly plunged into darkness.

At a far greater level, these last few months have been times of great darkness in the Middle East, particularly in Israel and Gaza. We’ve all watched in horror at the graphic images in our TV screens and social media.

Rewind back 2800 years and the situation was just as dark in the same land. The Assyrian king had conquered the Northern Territory of Israel and deported its citizens to Assyria. Death, darkness, and despair was all around.

This is the context Isaiah speaks into when he brings these great words of hope:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

  On those living in the land of deep darkness

   A LIGHT HAS DAWNED”

What is this light?

Isaiah tells us in verse 6:

“For to us a child is born”

Who is this child, born for us?

“He will be called

Wonderful Counsellor

Mighty God Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace”

This is the light that will come to this dark land when Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled 700 years later.

This is the light, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who can shine into the darkest areas of our lives, circumstances around us, and storms within us.

We’ll see how in the coming weeks.

Here are some lyrics from a new song I heard recently to encourage us to praise the Name of the One who rescues us out of our darkness; to praise Him even when things may be difficult:

Bless God in the sanctuary
Bless God in the fields of plenty
Bless God in the darkest valley
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Bless God when my hands are empty
Bless God with a praise that costs me
Bless God when nobody’s watching
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Bless God when the weapon’s forming
Bless God when the walls are falling
Bless God cos He goes before me
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Bless God for He holds the victory
Bless God for He’s always with me
Bless God for He’s always worthy
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name


Category: The Bridge , Thought for the week