Isaiah 9:1, 2 (NIV)
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
“God came to his people first where they had suffered the most, and from that place he launched salvation for the world. Isaiah uses the metaphors of darkness and light for oppression and liberation. Whenever foreign armies marched over the Fertile Crescent to invade Israel, the first area to come under attack was ‘Galilee of the nations’ in the north. The Galileans knew slavery and despair. But God turned invasion into mission by making the people of Galilee the first ones to see the light of Jesus (Matthew 4:12–17). That is how God ushered in the new era of triumphant grace. We made no contribution to it. The ones walking in darkness suddenly found themselves blinking under a new light they had never seen before. They deserved what had happened to them. But God was not satisfied with that. His zeal brought a Savior.” [Ray Ortlund Jr., Isaiah: God Saves Sinners]
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending Jesus to rescue us from darkness into your glorious light! We rejoice in you! Fill our hearts with your joy today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s worship to “His Name Shall Be” by Matt Redman (click here).
-DP
