July 9 – Reading 190

july 9 – Reading 190

by John Christian Pra | July 9

“HOPE IN THE DARKNESS”
(Isaiah 8:1-10:34; 28:1-29)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

Handel’s Messiah is one of the most famous and miraculous musical compositions ever created which spans the life of Jesus from the prophecies about Him in the Old Testament through His ascension in the New Testament. One of the most notable pieces within this composition is from Isaiah 9:6. When hearing this musical masterpiece, there is a triumphant joy that comes on the listener. Hope begins to fill your soul as you hear about this Messiah who is to come and what He is going to accomplish. 

Interestingly enough, this hopeful prophetic passage in the book of Isaiah pointing to the coming of Jesus was written about 700 years before Jesus was born. And the surrounding context of this message was anything but hopeful. Right before this, Isaiah is sharing about the impending doom that will overtake Israel due to their sinfulness and rebellion against God. Anything but hopeful. 

Yet in the middle of that judgment, God pauses to remind us of what is yet to come. Hope in the midst of the brokenness. Light shining in the darkness. There will be a savior who comes and restores everything that they were longing for yet not experiencing. Everything they so deeply desired would be found in this child that is born. 

Today, that same hope breaks into the bleakness of our world. What are you walking through? Do you have a sense of despair, of brokenness that seems to be unbreakable? Do you feel shame over your sinfulness that you can’t seem to break free of? Are you walking in fear because of the chaos that surrounds you? In this, the good news of Jesus Christ breaks in. As you hear this message today, remember that this light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. Expose your despair to Jesus today. Let Him break in and let hope arise again.

For to us, a child has been born and a son has been given. His name is Jesus. 

Reflections:

• What areas of your life feel dark?
• How can the good news of Jesus Christ break into your situation today and bring you hope?

Application: 

• Make a daily reminder on your phone sharing the good news of Isaiah 9:6 so that you can be reminded of the hope found in Jesus. 
• Encourage someone you know who is in a difficult spot and share the good news of Jesus with them. 

Closing Prayer…
Father, thank you that you are the bearer of good news. Thank you for the reminder that you are breaking into every hopeless situation I face. I confess that I often forget of your goodness and your power that is able to bring hope even into the hardest situations I face. I pray today I would experience your nearness and the benefits of having you as Messiah of my life. Let my life be a reminder of the hope that is found in you alone. Amen.