Read Isaiah 9:1-2
Our Advent preparations are heading into the home stretch. It’s time to take a deep breath and prepare for the final frantic moments yet to come. Why do we try to pack so much into such a short period of time? There’s traveling, cookie baking, card sending, concert attending, rehearsing, decorating, wrapping gifts, carol singing–I’ve got to be forgetting something! Yes — hoping in Christ!
Isaiah’s prophecy speaks loudly to us as well. We can surely identify with living in a “time of darkness and despair,” too. Anytime God is absent from a conversation or a decision or an event, the potential for darkness exists. Isaiah’s message brings hope to those living in darkness when he says, “will not go on forever.”
Our spirits lift any time we can “see the light at the end of the tunnel.” This verse should bring you some joy along with the hope. Isaiah speaks of a light that is coming. We could say that light has already come when Jesus walked the earth. However, this Advent, we are also preparing for Jesus’ promised return. The light is coming back!
So what about all the people walking around in darkness these days? They don’t know the saving grace Jesus brings. They don’t spend time getting to know their Savior. They are missing out on so much. That’s why the world seems so dark. The light of Christ is not burning brightly in enough of us. Who is going to tell them? Will they be ready to listen? I can understand a bit how Isaiah must have felt when he spoke God’s message and few paid any attention.
As followers of Jesus, we can cling to the hope of his return. Most of the people I talk to these days are more hopeful than ever that Jesus comes soon. Aren’t we more than ready to see more glory of the Lord? To me, this glory is the magnificent presence of God.
Many great turning points in the Bible make reference to God’s glory. I think of the burning bush event when Moses is commissioned by God, face to face. Or back even further we see the splendor of creation and God’s flawless Eden. While it’s not written about by an eye witness, God’s glory would have been a big part of the resurrection of Jesus leaving that empty tomb behind.
Hebrews 1:3 tells us: “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” Jesus shines with the light of God’s glory.
When we have the Holy Spirit, God that is, living inside us, we can shine with God’s glory. How do we do that? We need to be mindful of our actions, our intentions, and our interactions with others. Are we behaving like Jesus would? Maybe Paul’s suggestion to us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 will help: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
If we focus on bringing glory to God with our actions, then we can’t be help shine with the light of his glory. Think on that one for a bit. You can also reflect on the lyrics to the chorus of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” A good message for Advent and every day.
| Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. |
Let’s pray.
Thank you, Jesus, for being my hope and filling me with your light. I look forward to each opportunity you provide for me to shine for you. You light me up when I am around certain people, and I am certain you are glowing and fueling me. Thank you for that privilege to serve. But Lord there are times when I feel weary. Awaken me and energize me. Open my eyes to see those people walking in darkness that need to see your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
