A Very Special Child, Isaiah's Prophecy About the Lord JesusSample

Light in the darkness

“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)

The Bible talks a lot about light and darkness. Sometimes in a literal sense, but often figuratively. Light then is an image of deliverance, joy and being free of care and worry , while darkness symbolizes fear, gloom and danger. Many will recognize this symbolism.

David also used this symbolism to describe his own experiences. He had a hard time when King Saul wanted to kill him: “For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me” (2 Samuel 22:5). But in that difficult situation, the Lord God did not abandon him. Gratefully David sang, “You are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness” (2 Samuel 22:29).

The people of Israel were also in darkness. As a result of their unfaithfulness to God, they were oppressed by hostile nations. But the prophet Isaiah delivered to them a message of hope. God would intervene. A light would shine over these people. A “great light” even.

Many people experience darkness in their lives in one way or another. Sometimes so strongly that there seems hardly any light left. Does this apply to you, or have you experienced such periods? Where do you look for a ray of light in the darkness?