But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 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 9:1-7
Believing a lie blinds us to the truth. Our first parents believed a lie, and their eyes were open to the blinding darkness of sin, separation, and death. This is the path all people walk, because ‘…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.’
(2 Cor 4:4).
Not only is darkness the path we walk, but it is the land in which we find our home. It is precisely here, not while we were walking in the light, not while we were searching for God, not while we are dwelling with Him, right here in the land of deep darkness where God meets us - illuminating Himself, illuminating His narrow road, shining a light on every shadow of our sin-sick hearts.
Creation moves in seasons - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. And it is from the growing darkness of deepening winter that we retreat inside. Winter can appear desolate, where life - if visible at all - certainly does not break forth green like Spring, flower-like Summer, or harvest like Fall. In this land of deep darkness, we decorate with Christmas lights, light candles, and burn fires. Each light that burns in the winter is a reminder that life can be found here and now. Because Life has come to us in and through the person of Christ - the Light of the World, to a people who were walking in darkness, a people who love darkness. He has come to us, and He is coming again.
What areas of your life are characterized by walking in darkness?
How is God meeting you in the land of deep darkness and inviting you to Himself?
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