We all need hope. When things are dark, we need light. We need to see that there is something beyond the darkness.
The prophet Isaiah is writing about the judgement coming upon Israel, yet he doesn’t leave it there. He prophecies of a future hope.
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV84):
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV84):
6 For to us a child is born,
to us, a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 11:1–3 (NIV84):
The Branch From Jesse
11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 12:2–3 (NIV84):
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
How about us today? Are we caught in the darkness? Is life overwhelming?
Let us go to God and say with Isaiah: “The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.”
