"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....For unto us a Child is born....And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...." (From today's "Major Prophets" reading, Isaiah 9)
The first part of our text is a little-emphasized passage, probably because of the more "popularly" read following verses. But I saw today afresh that the only reason humanity, "who walk[s] in darkness," can come out of that, "darkness," that when those who live, "in the land of the shadow of death," can be delivered from that, "valley of the shadow of death," is the Great Appearing of, "....a Child...born."
I saw on the KDKA TV internet news that a few days before Christmas a Russian tourist was shot and killed in Pittsburgh. He was riding in the car of a friend when this occurred; they say he was not the target, possibly a random tragedy. This could happen to anyone anywhere. It happens to "good" people and to "bad" people, Believer and unbeliever alike. Why? You're asking the wrong person. What I can say is that all, "....who walk[] in darkness," who, "....dwel[l] in the land of the shadow of death," (and the fear of that, "land") can be gloriously liberated, delivered because of, "....a great light..," Jesus Christ.
Let me share something I read from Sankey's, My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns. "In 1720 a remarkable revival began in a town in Moravia. Jesuits opposed it, and the meetings were prohibited. Those who still assembled were seized and imprisoned in stables and cellars. At David Nitschmann's house, where a hundred and fifty persons gathered, the police broke in and seized the books. Not dismayed, the congregation struck up the stanzas of Luther's hymn,
'And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.'
Twenty heads of families were for this sent to jail, including Nitschmann, who was treated with special severity." This is still going on in most of the Church today.
"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." In the, "darkness," of life, "in the land of the shadow of death," the Church through the centuries has triumphed because, "....to us a Child is born...." As you and I walk in Jesus, Father's, "Great Light," we too can say, "the body they may kill." We too can live in the power of David's, "....I will fear no evil..," because we, "....have seen a Great Light."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I would still be in such miserable, "darkness," had You not opened my eyes to see Jesus, Your, "Great Light." Thank You. Amen.
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* I will be preaching in the CCE meeting on January 21. I am considering preaching on "Praying Bible Prayers."
* FHMP Briefing at the Lamplighter in Delmont, January 27 at 11:00. Let us know if you will attend.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
