We’re in the third week of the study, True Light for Everyone …

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We began with reading Isaiah 9:1-7. The people were living in a time of political uncertainty and moral decline. Sound familiar? Not very different from our culture in today’s society.

But right there in verse 1 we read:

“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.” (NLT)

Beyond the destruction, the despair, and the pain, there is hope. The darkness would give way to great light. There would be an end to oppression and justice and righteousness would come.

And therein lies the hope we also find.

Jesus comes to break the yoke we find ourselves in. He lifts the heavy burdens from our shoulders.

He comes into our lives and situations and brings with Him, His peace. His very names reveals all that He brings to us:

• Wonderful Counselor – He brings us His wisdom
• Mighty God – He brings His power
• Everlasting Father – His care over His children continues forever
• Prince of Peace – He brings wholeness to us and a calm.

This portion of Scripture concludes:

“The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” (NLT)

We can trust God to be true to His promise. Which of these four do you need Him to be today in your life? Come before Him expressing your need and trust Him to be all that you need.

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Isaiah 12 came with perfect timing on the day before Thanksgiving.

We can praise God for He is our salvation, our strength, and our song (verse 2b) during hard days.

We can sing to the Lord for He has done excellent things (verse 5a).

The heading on this chapter (in my Bible) reads “A Hymn of Praise” and surely there is much to be thankful to Him for this year and every day.

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We closed the week with reading John 1:14-18. I focused in on verse 17 before I even realized it was our focus verse.

Jesus came to reveal to us grace and truth. If we were left only with the law, none of us would survive. Well, perhaps I should only speak for myself as I know I definitely would not.

We could never in our humanness have fulfilled the law. Only Jesus, taking on flesh, living in human form, and dwelling among man, could fulfill the law.

And in so doing, He reveals God to us for Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

In verse 18, when John states: “He has declared Him [God]” this means that Jesus explains, unfolds, and the leads the way to God. Apart from Jesus, we would not understand God.

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Hope.
Salvation.
Understanding.
Jesus imparts these into our messy lives.

Graphics by Megan Della Tingle.
Today I am joining … Purposeful Faith and InstaEncouragements .