have seen a great light;
upon those living in the land that lies
in the shadow of death, light has dawned.
2 (3) You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice in your presence
as if rejoicing at harvest time,
the way men rejoice
when dividing up the spoil.
3 (4) For the yoke that weighed them down,
the bar across their shoulders,
and their driver’s goad
you have broken as on the day of Midyan[’s defeat].
4 (5) For all the boots of soldiers marching
and every cloak rolled in blood
is destined for burning,
fuel for the fire.
5 (6) For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us;
dominion will rest on his shoulders,
and he will be given the name
Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor
Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom
[Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God,
Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace],
6 (7) in order to extend the dominion
and perpetuate the peace
of the throne and kingdom of David,
to secure it and sustain it
through justice and righteousness
henceforth and forever.
The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot
will accomplish this.
7 (8) Adonai sent a word to Ya‘akov,
and it has fallen on Isra’el.
"Receive His Light" by Author: Marlene Chase
When Isaiah spoke of “people walking in darkness,” he referred to the Gentiles, who were not the chosen race, the so-called people of God. Some Jews saw God as their own private possession. He had singled them out for special favor. The Jews were indeed the chosen race–elected to be the ones through whom God’s plan for the entire world would be fulfilled. Thank God the light has dawned on us all!
The land of deep darkness is any place where God is not welcomed, where His light is rejected. The light dawns on all, but not all receive it or live in that light. Even His own did not welcome Him. “He came to that which was his own,” says John, “but his own did not receive him” (1:11). They chose the darkness. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
How about you? Have you received the light? Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Hymn for Today: "Jesus, the Light of the World" or "Hark the herald angels sing" by Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
1. Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"
2. Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th' incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"
3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"
Thought for Today:
"The people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those living in the land that lies
in the shadow of death, light has dawned." Isaiah 9:1.Please pray:
for people who are living in God's light will shine their light to the people living in darkness.
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