Today’s 333 Devotional: “Out of the Darkness”

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The word “death” is also the word for “darkness.” People are walking in the darkness of sin and are dwelling under its shadow of death, a darkness so deep they don’t even recognize it as darkness, but rather as light.

“A land as dark as darkness itself, as the shadow of death, without any order, where even the light is like darkness.” (Job 10:22)

And to these people living in darkness comes the Light of Life, Jesus Christ. About His birth and ministry Isaiah said, “In the Galilee of the Gentiles … For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given … And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:1, 6)

And while this refers to the coming of Jesus the Messiah, the idea of people walking and living in darkness and seeing Jesus as the light of God’s glory, describes our time and God’s call upon the church.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light.” (Isaiah 60:1-3a)

We are living in a time when the darkness of sin is covering the land, and people are living in a deep darkness, so deep that they think it’s light. A time the Bible says when what is right and true is being called evil, and what is evil is considered as good and right.

But out of this darkness God has called the church to arise with the light of Jesus Christ, and the people will see and be drawn to Jesus.