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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Have-Seen-a-Great-Light-e1tktoe
View here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7189834308280978731?lang=en
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. (Isaiah 9:1-4 NIV)
A blessed and wonderful Wednesday to you, dear Friend. May we, in a spirit of worship and prayer, receive from God that which blesses the work of the Kingdom.
A recent study shows that 11% of grown Americans are still afraid of the dark. I grew up in the time when having a loved one die might have meant their body would be laid in state in your living room. Even with the living room lights on, uh, no. And then turn off the lights and that would be a hard NO. And add the stories our moms and grandmothers told, that would add to the fear. When my maternal grandfather, Papa Grande, as we called him, he laid in state in his tiny home next door to my uncle's home. There's just no comparing a six year old's perspective of an adult-sized coffin inside a tiny living room with your grandfather lying dead inside. And then at MYF, a friend tells of having to spend the night on the living room floor where the coffin of their loved one sat, but that night as the host family turned off the lights, a few moments later, they came back on again. My friend was told by his dad to get up and turn them off. Very reluctantly he did, and once off he had to feel his way around the coffin back to the floor, and then they turned back on again.
The more fearful darkness is despair. The thought that there is no more light available by which to guide one's way through life. Living life with little to no hope is not a good way to live. Yet, there are many who fear because of so many views on life, society, the government, politics, the economy, and life in general. To this God spoke through Isaiah declaring the end of despair and gloom. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Wow. When God shines a light, darkness is defeated. Despair is replaced by hope. Sadness has to give way to joy. The night is over and a great morning has arrived. God has defeated all that darkness represented by the victory of light.
This, dear friend, is our faith and hope. This is a fore-telling from the Old Testament of what the fullness of life would bring. And guess what, it's here! And it is ours for the asking. So, ask, receive, then tell somebody else about it.
PRAYER: Loving God, this is the fulfillment of Your promises and we want in! Grant to us the faith to ask and receive, and to seek and find. Grant to us the courage to go and tell, and to make new disciples and conquer the world for Jesus; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: (See above)
Receive my love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
