It was somewhere early fall, I knew I needed to do an Advent study in order to prepare my heart to be prepared for this Advent season. My heart was feeling heavy, burdened, by the news and world events.
There were four hundred years of silence prior to Jesus’ birth. Can we even imagine how dark the world seemed to God’s people during those years?
In his prophecies, Isaiah gives us a glimpse:
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (Isaiah 9:2, NLT)
Beyond the darkness, there is hope of light.
With his words, Isaiah moved the people forward, encouraging them to look past the darkness towards the coming light and hope. This ray of light reminded God’s people, and us today, God has not completely given up on us.
Even in the darkest of places, the most difficult of times, God’s light shines greater, for God delivers His people:
“For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.” (verse 4, NLT)
Isaiah brings promise, hope, and assurance as he delivers his message, reminding all down through the ages that God Himself would fulfill His wonderful plan:
“For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty god,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and it peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice
from the throne of his Ancestor
David for all eternity.
(verses 6-7a, NLT)
But it was the very next sentence which grabbed my attention, and may it grab yours as well:
“The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!”
Our God is passionately committed to bring His Light into our world, into our hearts, and into our circumstances.
Today I am joining … Moments of Hope and Destination Inspiration and Tune In Thursday and Heart Encouragement .
With all the hustle and bustle plus the marketing days from Thanksgiving to Christmas, it is necessary to make time to focus on our Savior and what took place thousands of years ago, Joanne. I find myself annoyed by all the emails and commercials prompting me to buy this or that or I will miss out. I remind myself that the greatest gift of all has been given to me and for that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today and this inspiring word of hope. I hope you and yours have a fantastic holiday season and may God bless you and yours this Christmas
Horace, I am so glad I am not the only one annoyed by all the marketing emails 🙂 I don’t even open them but delete so many every day. May we stay focused to getting our hearts prepared, making room for Him to come. Blessings to you as well!
Writing certainly helps in focusing on the advent of Christ. Writing helps me focus, period and I consider it one of my great gifts from The Father. xo
I so agree, Susan. My writing is just one big “diary” I am leaving for my children 🙂
Oh, yes! May we be passionately committed to bringing God’s light into the world. We need light in this dark season!
We have definitely been thinking on the same lines this week! And I also love the line about God’s passionate commitment making it happen. It’s so encouraging that the light comes from him and not from our efforts to fight against the darkness.