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.
[isaiah 9:2]
what a word!
let’s us worship in thanksgiving and praise as we walk through this word!
“the people who walked in darkness”
this is you and i. we once walked in darkness – blinded by our sin and enslaved by our sin. we could find tastes of hope, peace, joy, and love, but all these tastes faded quickly – over-promising and under-delivering. darkness is not just about walking in evil. it is primarily about walking in any way that promises to save, bring life, give hope, and instill peace – that is not Jesus. when we turn to any other savior but Jesus – we are walking “in darkness.” and this was you and i before Jesus.
- thank him now for rescuing you from darkness. for all your religious ways you walked it to be good enough for God and all your irreligious ways you walked in trying to be your own God. thank him now for rescuing you from darkness!
“have seen a great light”
before Jesus, darkness – even in our good works and religion. now with Jesus – light. the light that is our savior with us giving real hope, peace, joy, love, and more. not tastes, not counterfeit tastes – but real lasting and soul-satisfying because these things are the very character and person of Jesus.
- thank him now for the light you have in Jesus. for the ways you have tasted and drank freely and deeply of his hope, peace, joy, and love. get specific and thank him now!
\”those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
Jesus has revealed himself to us and this was needed for those in darkness. and Jesus has called us to respond in faith – to fully and wholly trust that he alone makes us right with God – so we can be with God.
we were living in a land of deep darkness – unaware, but entrapped. the light of the person of Jesus has shone on you. and good news, he continues to shine on you revealing more and more of himself to you.
- worship him for his intentional ever ever-present pursuit of your heart. praise him for revealing himself in your darkness. thank him for the most recent time he called you to repentance from darkness and you heard and responded. praise him for the joy of salvation and the freedom of running to him- over and over!
may this be a day of worship!
enjoy your savior! enjoy his presence!
~ john ryan