Light

January 23, 2005 LIGHT Is 8:23..9:3

First the LORD degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: For there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

The great light is here and now. The darkness, sadness and burdens can be lifted. The old history of defeat in ancient lands can be turned to glory. Days of slavery are over. I need to remind myself daily of the joy in the Lord. The old ways of worry, fear and anguish are not necessary. As a Christian, I believe in New Life, a New History and a freedom from the past and sins. God wants us to walk in the light and leave behind the old ways of sorrow. We are truly reborn in Christ as Christians. The forgiveness of God is endless. As a Christian, there is a death to self and the new life is one united in the body of Church.