Bible Reading: ISAIAH 9:1-end
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shinned” – Isaiah 9:2 (KJV).
The fall of man plunged all creation into gross darkness. This darkness is not the absence of sunshine but the absence of God in the life of people; it is the loss of the glory of God and loss of relationship with God. It is the loss of righteousness and reign of sin. Where sin is, darkness dominates but where righteousness is, light rules. In the reign of darkness, wickedness, death, sickness, curses, affliction and all kinds of evil ruled the world. There was no one righteous, no one … “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” –Romans 3:23 (KJV). Peace disappeared, hopelessness and confusion set in. Fear of death controlled people. Man died spiritually giving room for physical death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23 (KJV). Darkness covered the earth and gross darkness covered the people until Jesus, the light, came.
The coming of Jesus was a new dawn. Darkness gave way to light; the daystar arose to brighten the world. The sun of righteousness rose to give light and hope to the fallen man and to a depraved world. “But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth, and grow up as caves of the stall” – Malachi 4:2 (KJV). With the help of the Holy Spirit, people began to find their way back to God because he is the light that lightens all men. As soon as he appeared on the scene of life, he announced the advent of light and the dawn of new era as prophesied by Isaiah “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” -Isaiah 60:1 (KJV). Jesus confirmed this on his arrival “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” – John 8:12 (KJV). The presence of Jesus in the world is the presence of light; his absence is the reign of darkness. “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” John 9:5 (KJV). God delivered us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his dear son so we can shine for him and illuminate the dark world (Colossians 1:13). He therefore commands us to let our light shine so the world can come to the light (Matthew 5:14-16).
PRAYER: Lord, help me not to conceal my light but to light my world.
Rev. Vincent Diolu