Tag: darkness

In the beginning our story began in a complete state of darkness. Our earth was formless and empty, a darkness, 9/11/01 hovered lingered on the deep. Genesis 1:1-5

Genesis 1:1-5 Complete Jewish Bible

Parashah 1: B’resheet (In the beginning) 1:1–6:8

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was unformed and void, darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the water. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. So there was evening, and there was morning, one day.

The Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Beginnings are important.

Backgrounds about characters in novels and movies help us see the situations that have shaped them.

Sometimes we will introduce ourselves by talking about our likes, dislikes, what it is we do for a living, what sort of day we are having or the weather or what is currently going on in the world around us with our thoughts and our feelings.

We recognize how much of who we are in any given moment of time has a lot to do with our interpretations of the situations and the people who came before us.

Similarly, the Bible’s first words about the earth are that it was “formless and empty” and that “darkness was over the surface of the deep”—a poetic way of saying that our world did not exist before God started speaking and creating.

Have you ever been in a room without any lights on? It can be so dark that you can’t see your hands in front of your face or even when you touch your nose.

The Bible begins with such an indescribable darkness that is deeper than that.

It’s the very deepest darkness biblical writers could imagine or conceive: the empty darkness of nothingness, chaos is everywhere, our world not existing.

However heavy and impossible our current circumstances may feel, the Bible reminds us that from the beginning our story begins with the God who speaks, who creates new life even in the midst of the deepest darkness imaginable.

In other words, with God there is a non stop, continuous cycle of hope. God speaks and the result is always the same – the old is gone new life is created.

2 Corinthians 5:16-19 Complete Jewish Bible

16 So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer.  17  Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new! 18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, 19 which is that God in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to himself, not counting their sins against them, entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Genesis 1:1-5 Amplified Bible

The Creation

1 In the beginning God ([a]Elohim) [b]created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was [c]formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, [d]“Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and [e] He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness. 5 And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was [f]evening and there was [g]morning, one day.

In the Bible we have God’s great story of the world from its beginning to its end.

This story includes not only complexity and beauty but also great tragedy and sorrow. One of the golden threads woven into this story focuses on the world’s true King. Who is this King, and what does true kingship look like on the earth?

In the Bible’s opening verses we hear God speaking.

In the ancient world, no one could make things happen the way a king could by just speaking. If the king said, “Let there be a great banquet,” all the servants immediately jumped into action. “Your wish is our command,” they would say.

In Genesis, God speaks as King, and the cosmos itself springs into being.

God can even make something out of nothing!

Light and darkness, day and night, water and sky, sun and moon, vegetation and creatures. Whole arenas of life are formed and filled.

And God the King affirms its cosmic importance, “It is good.”

Creator King builds by speaking, his lordship over all things is put on display.

Ancient kings in their earthly kingdoms would build temples, palaces, and gardens. The Creator King has built the marvelous temple-palace-garden complex that is creation, the whole universe, including our earthly home.

The world in which we “live and move and have our being” now exists because God our King continues to speak and uphold its existence (Colossians 1:16-17).

Colossians 1:15-20 Amplified Bible

15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. 16 For [a]by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is all of the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] 18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [b]church; and He is the beginning, [c]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), 20 and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

9/11: Understanding God’s Sovereignty and Purpose

On September 11, 2001, our world was forever changed by the tragic events that unfolded.

Many people asked the question:

Where was God in the midst of this terrible tragedy?

As Christians, we believe that God is always present and in control, even in the face of evil and suffering.

While it may be difficult to comprehend why a loving God would allow such a tragedy to happen, we must always remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

The Reality of Human Sinfulness

To understand why God allows evil and suffering in our world, we must first acknowledge the reality of human sinfulness.

The Bible tells us all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Humanity is desperately wicked and sinful (Romans 3:10-18). God allows human beings to commit sin for His own reasons and to fulfill His own purposes. This does not mean that God is responsible for the wicked acts of evil men.

God’s Eternal Perspective

God looks at things from an eternal perspective, while we often view things from an earthly perspective.

We wonder why God allowed Adam and Eve to sin and bring evil, death, and suffering upon all mankind.

However, it is important to remember that the purpose of all creation and all creatures is to glorify God.

God is glorified when His nature and attributes are displayed.

If there were no sin, God would have no opportunity to display His justice and wrath as He punishes sin.

Nor would He have the singular opportunity to show His grace, mercy, and love to all of our neighbors.

Matthew 25:40 Amplified Bible

40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’

The ultimate display of God’s grace was seen at the Cross, where Jesus died for our sins.

Here, we witness an inconceivable depth of unselfishness and unconditional obedience being gruesomely displayed in God’s Son, who knew no sin but was made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This was all to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:14).

Ephesians 1:7-14 Names of God Bible

7 Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness. 8 He poured out his kindness by giving us every kind of wisdom and insight 9 when he revealed the mystery of his plan to us. He had decided to do this through Christ. 10 He planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth. 11 God also decided ahead of time to choose us through Christ according to his plan, which makes everything work the way he intends. 12 He planned all of this so that we who had already focused our hope on Christ would praise him and give him glory.

13 You heard and believed the message of truth, the Good News that he has saved you. In him you were sealed with the Holy Spirit whom he promised. 14 This Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we will receive our inheritance. We have this guarantee until we are set free to belong to him. God receives praise and glory for this.

Recognizing the Miracles Amidst Tragedy

When reflecting on September 11, it is easy to focus solely on the tragedy and forget the vast number of miracles which God wrought that day.

Despite the scope of the devastation, there were countless instances where lives were buried under tons of rubble and were saved and people were able to escape.

These miracles remind us God was present even amidst the darkness and chaos.

Psalm 46:1-3 King James Version

46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

For instance, a small group of firemen and one civilian survived in a very tiny stairwell as one of the towers collapsed around them.

The passengers on Flight 93 fought against the terrorists, preventing further destruction.

These are but a few examples of the numerous miracles taking place that day.

Why This Matters in 2026 – 25th Anniversary

Understanding God’s sovereignty and purpose in the midst of tragedy is crucial for our faith. It reminds us that God is always in control, even when things seem beyond out of control. Moreover, it helps us trust in His wisdom and goodness, even when after 25 years we cannot ever expect to comprehend .1% of His ways.

Think About It

As we reflect on September 11, let us not only remember the tragedy but also the stories of hope and resilience.

Let us be reminded of the countless lives that have been changed for the better since that day.

It is possible that vast multitudes of people have turned to Christ as Savior and found salvation as a result of what happened.

When faced with enormously difficult circumstances or tragedies in our own lives, may we will find comfort in knowing that God is with us. Let us trust in His sovereignty and have faith that He works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Spiritual Meaning of 9/11

The spiritual significance of 9/11, is often referred to as “angel number 911,” encompasses themes of transformation and renewal. This number is a powerful symbol that encourages individuals to embrace change and personal growth.

Key Themes
  • End of a Cycle: The number 9 signifies completion, indicating that a phase in our lives is concluding. This does not imply any negative ending but rather as a necessary transition to mark a starting line, make way for our new beginnings.
  • New Opportunities: The number 1, appearing twice in 911, emphasizes fresh starts and the courage to pursue new paths. It suggests that we are entering a period of time which God has filled with overflowing potential and possibilities.
  • Guidance and Support: Seeing 911 repeatedly is interpreted as a sign from the universe or higher powers, reminding us that we are never alone. It signifies that we are now being guided toward a more meaningful direction in our lives.
Spiritual Growth

The appearance of 911 can also indicates a spiritual awakening. It encourages us to shed old rusted patterns and embrace your true self. This number serves as a reminder to trust our intuition, recognize, use our God given gifts and talents.

Remember in spite of our differences are or what now divides us, from God’s covenant that the life of every person has great value.

Remembering 9/11 can also remind us of the value of individual lives. Every one of the thousands of people who passed away on 9/11 was created and loved by God and had people who loved them, as well.

When we remember people this way, we can focus on how every person we will encounter is someone who’s valuable because he or she is made in God’s image.

God’s Word Genesis 1:27 reveals: “So God created mankind in his own image.”

That includes people we agree with and people we see as our enemies, disagree with, as well as, people who are successful and people who are struggling. 

Jesus calls us to love all people – not just the people who are easy to love.

In Matthew 22:39, Jesus urges us to: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Remembering 9/11 can help us do so by changing the way we look at the people around us.

The person sitting next to us at church, the cashier at the store, the homeless person on the street, new biased and prejudices and all the difficult people in our lives all lives matter because they are all unconditionally valuable to God.

They’re all people God has created and loves – God wants us to love them too.

Let our fear and grief remind us to turn to God for help.

Finally, remembering 9/11 can teach us where to take our fear and grief.

The events of that day brought enormous fear and grief into Americans’ lives.

Many people lost loved ones.

Others lost their sense of safety. The emotional wounds people suffered on 9/11 have lasted for years.

But the Bible encourages us in Psalm 34:18 that: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

What a wonderful promise!

Instead of telling us not to be afraid or sad, God promises to be near us.

God will fight fear with us and help us when we’re grieving.

When we remember painful events, we can bring those memories to God and honestly share our feelings with him.

We can also help people who are dealing with fear and grief.

Thankfully, death isn’t final for those who place their faith and trust in Jesus.

In John 11:25, Jesus tells us: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

That promise doesn’t erase the pain of losing someone.

But it does give us hope beyond the grave.

Today, 25 years after 9/11, we can remember the lives that were lost without allowing fear to overwhelm us.

We can grieve with hope and still worship God because he gives us hope. Our memories of fear and grief – from 9/11, and from other challenges we’ve gone through – all can draw us closer to the God who is near to the brokenhearted.

In conclusion, while remembering 9/11 is painful, it’s also meaningful.

It can remind us to use our time wisely, walk humbly with God, show kindness, value every person, and bring our fear and grief to God.

Let’s honor those who survived, were wounded, passed away on that historic day by living, loving our own days with greater faithfulness, as God leads us!

Isaiah 11:6-10 The Message

A Living Knowledge of God

6-9 The wolf will romp with the lamb,
    the leopard sleep with the kid.
Calf and lion will eat from the same trough,
    and a little child will tend them.
Cow and bear will graze the same pasture,
    their calves and cubs grow up together,
    and the lion eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child will crawl over rattlesnake dens,
    the toddler stick his hand down the hole of a serpent.
Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill
    on my holy mountain.
The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive,
    a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide.

* * *

10 On that day, Jesse’s Root will be raised high, posted as a rallying banner for the peoples. The nations will all come to him. His headquarters will be glorious.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Psalm 46 The Message

46 1-3 God is a safe place to hide,
    ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in sea storm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
    this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
    God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
    but Earth does anything he says.

7     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”

11     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Treasures from Darkness: “Cyrus, I will give you all the treasures of the darkness, all the hoarded treasures and all of the hidden riches of secret places, that you may know I am God.” Isaiah 45:3

Isaiah 45:1-7 Easy-to-Read Version

God Chooses Cyrus to Make Israel Free

45 This is what the Lord said to Cyrus, his chosen king[a]:

“I took you by your right hand to help you defeat nations,
    to strip other kings of their power,
    and to open city gates that will not be closed again.
2 I will go in front of you
    and make the mountains flat.
I will break the city gates of bronze
    and cut the iron bars on the gates.
3 I will give you the wealth that is stored in secret places.
    I will give you those hidden treasures.
Then you will know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who calls you by name.
4 I do this for my servant, Jacob.
    I do it for my chosen people, Israel.
Cyrus, I am calling you by name.
    You don’t know me, but I know you.[b]
5 I am the Lord, the only God.
    There is no other God except me.
I put your clothes on you,[c]
    but still you don’t know me.
6 I am doing this so that everyone will know
    that I am the only God.
From the east to the west, people will know that I am the Lord
    and that there is no other God.
7 I made the light and the darkness.
    I bring peace, and I cause trouble.
    I, the Lord, do all these things.

Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

In Isaiah 45, God promised the Israelites release from bondage to Babylon and deliverance for his wayward people through a Persian king named Cyrus.

He says to Cyrus, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3 NIV).

During his conquest, Cyrus literally found treasures that the Jews had buried as they were taken into captivity.

Like King Cyrus, who found treasures hidden in the darkness, you, too, can find treasures—hope in the unexpected places of darkness, those painful places of suffering where you would very much like not to be.

God gives you these treasures for two reasons.

First, he does it so you would know that he has the power to intervene in your darkness.

In this verse, God reveals himself as the Lord, the God of Israel.

Over and over in Scripture, he says that he is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Master, the Ruler, and the Deliverer.

He is transcendent, which means he’s above time, space, and matter, and his existence is not dependent on anything outside of himself.

His ways are higher than your ways and his thoughts higher than your thoughts. “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5 NIV).

God is huge and powerful, and he can intervene in your darkness in ways only a transcendent God can do.

You can probably tell amazing stories of the ways God has intervened in your finances, your health, your family, or your career, just when you thought there was no hope of restoration or salvation. He revealed himself as he moved into your darkness and changed everything.

We ask for miracles every single day because we know he is God and we are not.

Sometimes God intervenes in ways that we have begged for.

Other times, he does not.

He may not have intervened in the darkness that has surrounded you or your family in the ways that you desired.

So, what then?

This verse reveals that God will be close to you in your darkness.

He is the Almighty God.

He’s huge, but he is also imminent, which means he is intimate.

He is personal.

He is your helper, your healer, your Savior, your friend, the lover of your wounded soul. This personal and intimate God will be close to you in your darkness because he promised he would be. He’s as close as your next breath.

Something other than Darkness to Ponder 

SOMETHING TO PONDER 

Psalm 112 English Standard Version

The Righteous Will Never Be Moved

112 [a] Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
    who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
    he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
    who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady;[b] he will not be afraid,
    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever;
    his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
    he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
    the desire of the wicked will perish!

Darkness is generally something we avoid.

It feels unknown, chaotic, and sometimes even hopeless.

The dark seasons that we endure in our lives are usually the ones we want to forget. We don’t want to revisit those struggles, often, we wonder how anything good could come from our pain.

Yet God is able to transform our dark moments into something beautiful.

This is how we know his light is greater than the darkness that plagues our world! His word says, “I will give you treasures from those dark moments.”

He unpacks rich blessings from those difficult, secret moments.

As he meets us in the dark, it’s then that we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is the Lord! 

There is so much beauty in God’s power to make treasures out of our ashes.

There is so much grace when we realize our failures, in Christ, are the places where we have met God, and he carried us forward.

The lessons that come when we walk through the valley of the shadow become the ones that most profoundly define our character and shape our testimonies. 

If you feel stuck in the dark, remember there are treasures to be gained even in this struggle to find even the smallest pinpoint of light. God is greater than the darkness that covers us. He uses our pain for his glory and our good.  (John 1:5)

Talk It Over

  • When in your life has God intervened in a seemingly hopeless situation?
  • Do you regularly ask God for a miracle because of what you know about his character? Why or why not?
  • How does God show you that he is near when you are walking through a dark time in your life?
Three additional things to meditate and pray upon 

1. Is there a part of your story that you are ashamed of? Ask God to help you release that shame and embrace the promise that he can use our failures for glory.

2. What lessons have you learned through the challenging circumstances you have walked through?

3. Give God thanks for how he has worked out all the pieces of your story for your good. 

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Praying …

Psalm 139:1-18 English Standard Version

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.

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An Advent Reflection: “On Them, the Great Light has Shone.” Isaiah 9:2-7

Isaiah 9:2-7 English Standard Version

2 [a] 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.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[b] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called[c]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

From Alpha to Omega, the Bible never ever disguises just how dark life can get.

The Scriptures are clear that when sins multiply, when evil is celebrated, when God is left out, darkness ensues, darkness spreads to every corner it can reach.

And yet, over and over in the Bible’s storyline, we are abundantly reminded that God is not afraid of, not shy about His thoughts of or defeated by such darkness.

In fact, He makes an everlasting habit of drawing near and turning it into light.

We see Him drawing near in the third chapter of Genesis.

Sin had entered the world; the only two people alive had rebelled against their Maker, and when God came near to them they ran, they were hiding in shame.

Thinking about it, it would have been completely understandable for God to have shown up in Eden, dropped a hammer of His hardcore judgment on Adam and Eve, picked up more dust, and started over with another man and woman.

But that’s not what He did.

That is not what we read and learn in the Word of God for His Children.

He arrived in the garden, came near and asked, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).

And when He found them naked and ashamed, He stayed on the scene, and He put enmity, open hostility, between the serpent and all mankind in mercy, He provided animal skin covering for them, and expelled them from the Garden.

So, too, with His people Israel.

By the time Isaiah began his ministry, there was again an established history of the people forgetting God and ignoring His prophets – all would lead to exile.

As a result, they labored long and hard under the wicked kings they deserved and found themselves “greatly distressed and hungry,” leading them to “speak contemptuously against their king and their God” (Isaiah 8:21).

Again, it would have been reasonable for the Lord to have done away with His people at this point, start over – leaving them to experience the “distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish and defeat” (v 22), without a hope or a future.

After all, by their words and their actions, they were communicating that they didn’t want Him around in their garden of the knowledge of both good and evil.

Imagine God’s thought process here – Why would He, should He, stick around?

But the next chapter of Isaiah begins with a glorious, even miraculous reversal:

“There will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish” (Isaiah 9:1).

The Lord would not leave His people, and He would not allow them to remain in misery – No, for these people in darkness, “on them has a great light shone.”

The light of the grace of God was breaking into their self-inflicted gloom of sin.

Centuries after the words of Isaiah were written, spoken, preached and taught, that endless cycle of sin – the people of God again found themselves in anguish.

There were again foreign rulers over them, and now came something different from God – there had been no prophetic word heard for too many, many years. 

Imagine the thought of the people – “Perhaps He’s really finally done it this time, the people may have thought – the Lord has finally had enough of us, turned His back.

In these contemporary of days, we know better.

We believe that into this darkness a child was born.

We believe a glorious once in a lifetime has light shone in the sky, leading to the discovery of a baby who would prove to all to be the light of the entire world.

The question for us this Advent season, in any season, is whether the light has dawned in our own hearts or whether we have let the darkness of sin creep in.

The good news of this season of Advent and Christmas is that the God of the Bible is the God of grace, the God of Light who comes into the darkness and emptiness of our hearts to bring His light, His love, His joy, and His peace.

It is a great certainty we are each walking in darkness today, whether that is the darkness of our own sin, our fear or the darkness caused by the sin of others.

God’s promise is this: God is neither afraid of nor defeated by, these things.

In Immanuel, God with us, God is within us – in Jesus, He has drawn near.

By His Spirit, He can bring light to the dark.

Look to Him and look for Him for He wants to be found – and walk in His light.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 8 Names of God Bible

Psalm 8

For the choir director; on the gittith;[a] a psalm by David.

1 O Yahweh, our Adonay, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!

Your glory is sung above the heavens.[b]
2 From the mouths of little children and infants,
    you have built a fortress against your opponents
        to silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens,
    the creation of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars that you have set in place—
4         what is a mortal that you remember him
            or the Son of Man that you take care of him?
5         You have made him a little lower than yourself.
        You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6         You have made him rule what your hands created.
        You have put everything under his control:
7             all the sheep and cattle, the wild animals,
8             the birds, the fish,
            whatever swims in the currents of the seas.

9 O Yahweh, our Adonay, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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