A Great Light

Daily Reading: Isaiah 9

Scripture Focus: 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. 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. (Isaiah 9.2, 6-7)

Devotional Thought: I sat in the pre-dawn darkness of a Detroit morning, waiting for three things.  They reminded me of these verses:

• A land of deep darkness.  First, I was awaiting the arrival of a snow storm.  When we had gone to bed the night before, the forecast was for 5-8 inches of snow.  Lana, my wife, was not very excited about the prospect of snow: “How are we going to get home?”  The forecast of snow is like a shroud that covers the day, like a shadow of gloom spread over our expectations.

• A light has shown, a child is born.  The second thing I expected, was a birthday party.  Grayson was to turn 1 that day!  A year prior, a child was born, a son was given!  It’s hard to be gloomy when there is so much to be happy about!  In the midst of the darkness, there is good news: Jesus, the Son of God, has come.  The governments of this world may be in turmoil, and our future may be threatened, but thanks be to God: the ultimate Ruler is Jesus!

• Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.  Third, after the darkness, after the happy birthday party, we were going home.  It may be a rough and adventurous drive through the snow, but that night I would lay my head down on my pillow!  All of us have the prospect of getting “home” one day.  You see, Jesus’ Kingdom is established forever.  There will be no end to his peace.  Again, thanks be to God!

Prayer: You are Wonderful Counselor!  Mighty God!  Everlasting Father!  Prince of Peace!  Shine your light into the darkness of this world, I pray.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 42.8-11

8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.