Isaiah foresaw a dark time for God’s people. Israel was about to go into ‘the valley of the shadow of death’ and they were going to be there for a long time. But Isaiah sees beyond this great valley. He sees the ascent at the other end and the light that would dawn upon the people to lead them out of the valley. That light would come in the form of a king whose birth would signal the first light of that day. This king, Isaiah saw, would lead the people out of darkness. He would be their counsellor to show them the path of light. He would come in the name of the Almighty God and would warm them with the love of their everlasting heavenly father. Their turmoil would be brought to an end, and they would at last be able to live without the fear of abandonment. This king would be the ‘prince of their peace’. The vision was so vivid to Isaiah that he described it in the past tense as though it had already happened. And for us today, it has already happened, and it is still happening. Jesus Christ has come in fulfilment of these words spoken 700 years before his birth. Do you feel like you are in the darkness? Do you feel alienated from God? Jesus comes to you now. He is at the door knocking. Open the door to him in your heart and let his light pervade your soul. Let him counsel you and bring you peace. Let him show you the way to the father.
Open your heart to Jesus. Ask him to lead you.
Read Isaiah 9:1-7
