Darkness is simply the absence of light. The moment a light is turned on in a dark room, everything is illuminated and can be seen. The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of light and darkness all throughout his book. In Chapter eight, Isaiah talks about the people’s sinfulness and rejection of God. However, in Chapter nine, Isaiah returns to the promise of God in sending the Messiah. Chapter eight is all about man’s darkness which is a reference to their sinfulness. Chapter nine is going to talk about the Light which God would send. In the opening of Isaiah 9, God singles out two specific tribes of Israel. They are the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. They are in the northern part of Israel, in the region of Galilee. Galilee is where Jesus began His ministry (Luke 4), and it is where He performed His first miracle (John 2). Therefore, our text for the day is pointing us to Jesus, who said He is the “Light of the world” (John 8:12). Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” Jesus was going to bring hope out of the darkness, and offer salvation to those who deserved His judgment. In order for this to happen, we must be able to admit the truthfulness of the darkness in our lives and in the world around us. Given the current situation in America, I don’t believe it would be too hard for people to see it. The question is, will we admit our own sinfulness and admit that COVID-19 and racism, and the social unrest we are experiencing has come at least in part due to our rejection of God? How can we apply Isaiah 9:2 into our lives today?
- Admit your sin. The Bible is clear that we are all sinners by birth and by choice (Psa. 51:5; Rom. 3:10-12, 23). While it may be easier to point out the sin in other people’s lives, we will not answer for them. We will only answer for our own life. Therefore, we need to ask the holy light of the Spirit and His Word to shine in on our heart and life and reveal whether or not we are truly saved or not (Psa. 139:23-24; 2 Cor. 13:5)
- Be grieved over the sin of our nation. A few chapters back, in Isaiah 6 there is a powerful scene. Isaiah is given a vision of God in His Temple. Isaiah immediately sees his own sinfulness, but also sees the sinfulness of the nation of Israel. I believe it is time for the church to be honest about the sins of our nation. To publicly stand and speak out against them, and call the nation to repentance, and it must begin in the church (1 Pet. 4:17).
- Shine your light on the Light of the world. As a church, we are not called to build our own brand, or build our own ministry. We are called to lift high the name of Jesus, the make Him known near and far, and to worship Him. When people think of Westlake Baptist Church, the first thing I hope they think of is “wow, those people really love Jesus and it shows.” I don’t want them to think about any great ministry we might have or great teachers or anything like that. I, personally, and us corporately should be known as people who love Jesus. Anything else good that people know about WBC is just icing on the cake. Jesus told us to “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). It is time for us to live boldly, and unapologetically for Jesus, and let the world see the difference the Light of the world can make in this dark world.
By His grace and for His glory,
Pastor Justin