The days are different now. Slower. Quieter. A stillness seems to be all around. I have been on my porch much of the last week thinking, praying, reading, watching Netflix with my husband, looking at the birds as they discover the feed I just put out, and working on my computer. Even my time in reading has been quite different. I tend to go to the New Testament writings of Paul and John, but this week, I have been drawn to the book of Isaiah.
The prophet of God wrote in prose and spoke hard truths to a disobedient people. He served under several of the kings of Judah and told of what the Lord wanted them to hear. He warned them of what was coming if they did not turn from their disobedience and sin. This is not an easy read in which you get lots of warm fuzzies. Isaiah is delivering a hard truth given to him by God Almighty. But there is beauty in the midst of the warnings. As you read through this long book of Scripture, there are themes that begin to repeat and offer hope and love in the midst of warnings and times of great darkness.
God gave Isaiah the gift of the solution to our sinfulness and the ways of the flesh that plague us just as they plagued the people of Judah under King Ahaz. What a gift! There is hope for those with a repentant heart who choose to turn to the Lord.
The Lord told Isaiah to tell the people the truth. Tell them they are in darkness and following the ways of the world. Tell them to return to Him. Tell them disobedience has consequences. And tell them there is salvation for those who call on His Name.
Just after speaking in Isaiah 8 about the people looking to the world for wisdom and understanding in times of distress, Isaiah 9 starts with the three-letter word- BUT.
But God. But look to Me. But there is a great light coming in the darkness. But there is a Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, a Prince of Peace and of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.
In the middle of the great darkness, Isaiah was told to shine the light on Jesus, the coming Savior. What are we to do in the current darkness and isolation? We are called to do the same. Shine the light on Jesus.
The world is broken. The world is searching for solutions. The world is dark. But Jesus.
Do you feel helpless by being stuck at home and isolated? Shine the light on Jesus, just like Isaiah did. The Lord asked Isaiah in a vision, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah answered, “Lord, Here I am! Send me.”
Whom will the Lord use in 2020? May we each answer, “Lord, Here I am! Send me.”
Shine the light of Christ in your areas of influence today and in the days to come. Your family and friends need to hear that this is not all there is and we are not left hopeless and afraid. Draw near to God and share Him with others through phone calls, prayer, handwritten notes of encouragement, texts, FaceTime with family, encouraging words on a Zoom call, etc… Use the means you have to shine so the world will see the Savior and hearts with be changed for eternity.
Here is a beautiful reminder of that great light that came two thousand years ago and will be coming again-
Light in the Darkness
Father God, during these days of darkness and distress, use us mightily to offer hope to others and point them to the hope found in Your Son. A child was given and that child walked this earth and was on the cross to take the weight of our sins on Himself. He paid the price for our sins and the sins of the whole world. The world is aching for hope and salvation. Use us to point others to Truth. Turn hardened hearts to You. Bring revival to our nation and the nations of the world. Fill our hearts to overflowing as we look to You instead of the ways of this world. Comfort those in need and heal those in sickness and distress. Through our actions and words, our desire is for You to be glorified. In the Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
