Todays readings.. Joshua 3&4, Isaiah 9, 1 Thessalonians 5

“THE PEOPLE … IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT” 

What darkness covers our world today!  Nearly all have given up looking for light – they have come to the conclusion that this life is all there is – they have come believe that they are the highest form of the animals – that somehow – magically – evolved!  And also the ‘missing links’ also – magically – vanished!

The philosophy of the great majority is ‘Let us enjoy life as much as we can, have as many experiences we can, after this life  – there is nothing – but I refuse to think about that!   

But there are some, just a few, who see the light – indeed – they echo the words of David to the Lord in Psalm 56, “I will render thank offerings to you.  For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” [v.12,13]  David did not die – he only “fell asleep” – see Acts 13 v.36

Today’s remarkable chapter 9 in Isaiah triggered this line of thought.  God gives us many inspiring pictures of the future of world – pictures that he inspired Isaiah to record. We can visualise the Psalms of David being a source of inspiration for Isaiah – as God caused him to write – “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.” [v.2]  Nearly everyone today is walking in “deep darkness.” Meditate on Proverbs 4 v.19! The teachings of prophets and Jesus are forgotten. The challenging words of Jesus are ignored – or forgotten.  What a wonderful – inspiring declaration Jesus made to a sinner! “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” [John 8 v.11]

Today nearly all people ‘enjoy’ being sinners, they do not think of anything in their lives as being sinful – the word ‘sin’ is no longer in their vocabulary!  Of course, they do not want to break the laws of the land – at least – not openly, but spiritually, they are content, indeed happy to live “in darkness” – they are ‘blind’ to the existence of “a great light”   What an awesome shock awaits them when Jesus returns. But what of ourselves?  Are we really ready for his return?  Are we longing to see the wonder of the “great light.”?