Have you read Isaiah, chapter nine? It’s a little famous this time of year because of verse 6 which says, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
But I want to draw your attention to a few verses earlier. Isaiah 9 wasn’t meant to be a Christmas reminder only. Isaiah was inspired to write about the dramatic entrance of God’s love into a dark and disillusioned world. He said, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).
Isaiah was prophesying of the coming Messiah, which was all the more evident when he said, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…” And those of us who live in this new covenant of God should have hearts that leap at the connection between these verses of promise.
But there’s more.
Much later, Isaiah prophesied again: “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). You see, it’s one thing to see a great light; it’s another thing to RISE up because of the Light!
The Amplified Bible says, “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you– rise to new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!” These verses are still as true today as the day they were penned. In fact, I dare say more! Isaiah was prophesying of a future promise, but you and I live IN that promise! It has been fulfilled! The Child was born! The Son was given! A great light is in the world now! Those who sit in darkness are actually so near the LIGHT. The love and presence of God is as close as a whisper. And we are promised in the new covenant: “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame” (Romans 10:11).
Yet, so many people (including Christians) suffer from depression and anxiousness. The enemy has found a way to overwhelm them with circumstances that seem too much. Their reality isn’t fiction. Their depression isn’t made up. The Bible is clear– people can and will suffer from such things.
But the Bible is clear on this too: We have a Savior who calls us to ARISE AND SHINE! To be radiant with the glory of the Lord within you!
2 Corinthians 4:7 has been rolling around in my heart for awhile now. The Holy Spirit wants us to remember “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” This is why believers, despite their current circumstances, can rise and shine!
We are invited to do the natural supernaturally and the supernatural naturally!
Meditate on that! The Spirit of the Living God put a treasure in your earthen vessel (in you!) and it’s not powerless. That treasure is HIM! Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life” (John 8:12 AMPC). Hallelujah!
I know depression is real. I know grief is real. I’m not downplaying any of those things. But I refuse to meditate on the enemy’s devices. Instead, I take the stance of the psalmist who said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). In fact, you should go read all of Psalm 27– it’s one of my favorite go-to places in the Bible when I need encouragement.
Jim Scudder Jr. said, “Christmas is about light. We put light on our houses, in our yards, and on our trees. Light is an important part of the season because in the Scriptures we read that the Christmas story is a story of light.” This time of year (or any time of year), I pray your heart is drawn to the light of Jesus as the promises of God’s Word encourage your heart.
