The Old Testament is full of prophecies about future events. And those recorded in the book of Isaiah are a glimpse of future hope…
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light – over those who live in the land of the shadow of death, the light will shine.”
Isaiah 9:1
In the verse preceding this, the text explains that sometime in the future these “people who walk in darkness” from the “Galilee of the Gentiles” (or nations) will be flooded with light. (The word “Gentiles” is a term for non-Jews who are an eclectic mix of other peoples).
Israel was God’s chosen people through whom the Savior of the world was to be born. But even to Abraham, who is considered the father of the Jewish people, God said that through his descendants all the families and peoples of the earth would be blessed (see Genesis 12:2-3; 22:18).
When Jesus, the Messiah, appeared on the scene, He was rejected by His own people—mostly because He was not what they imagined. However, He was surprisingly accepted by many of the once unbelieving pagans.
God talks about this in Isaiah 49:6 when he speaks about the prophesied Savior:
“It is not enough that You will be My Servant to revive the tribes of Jacob and convert the rest of Israel. Behold, I make You the Light of other nations, and that through You My salvation may spread to the ends of the earth!”
Isaiah 49:6
And in the New Testament, Matthew quoted Isaiah 9:1-2 when he wrote about Jesus’ ministry near the Sea of Galilee, where many Gentiles lived. He understood it as the fulfillment of God’s words through the prophet Isaiah.
It’s a beautiful reminder that no matter who you are, where you live, what you look like, what your story or heritage is, no matter how deep the darkness around you, a great light has come. It pierces darkness, uproots shadows, and brings life to all it touches.
This great light is Jesus, and only in Him is our hope.
Once we were in darkness, but now we have light.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good salary for their work.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
A participant in the London Marathon saw first-hand why it is important not to run a long race alone. After months of grueling training, the man wanted to finish strong. But when he stumbled at the finish line, he found himself bent over from exhaustion and nearly passed out. To prevent him from falling to the ground, two other marathon runners picked him up by the arms – one on the left and the other on the right – and helped him finish the distance.
Like that runner, the author of Ecclesiastes reminds us of several important benefits that come from having others run the race of life with us. Solomon came to the conclusion that “two are better than one” (Eccl. 4:9). He shed light on the benefits of joint efforts and mutual work. Solomon also wrote that the result of partnership can be “a good reward for labor” (v. 9). In difficult times, a friend should be close, because then “one will lift up his friend” (v. 10). When the nights are dark and cold, friends can huddle together for warmth (v. 11). And in times of danger they will stand together against the attacker (v. 12). Those whose lives are intertwined can have great power.
With all our weaknesses and shortcomings, we need strong support and security in the community of believers in Christ Jesus. So, let’s move forward together under His guidance and leadership!
Why is communication with other Christians so important in the race of life? How can you improve the quality of your communication with God?
Dear God, please help me to build a healthy community in Christ.
Author: Marvin Williams
“As one who loves Me, he will keep My word.” —John 14:23
Winters in the Netherlands rarely bring much snow, but it can be quite cold. When my husband, Tom, was growing up there, his parents made it a family rule: “Don’t go out on the ice until it’s thick enough to support the weight of a horse.” Since the horses left traces of their presence, Tom and his friends decided to take the manure from the road. They threw him onto the thin ice and ventured out onto the ice surface. They were not hurt, no one discovered them, but deep down they knew that they had disobeyed.
Obedience is not always natural. The choice to obey or disobey may stem from a sense of duty or fear of punishment. We can also choose to submit out of love and respect to those in authority over us.
In the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John, the words that Jesus said to His disciples are recorded: “He who loves Me will keep My word… He who does not love Me will not keep My words” (vv. 23-24). Obedience is not always an easy choice, but the power of the Spirit living in us gives us the desire and ability to show this obedience to God (vv. 15-17). With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can obey the commandments of the One who loves us most.
Have you deliberately disobeyed God? Why is it important for you to obey God even when it is difficult or inconvenient?
Loving God, please change my stubborn heart to obey Your instructions. Help me to put aside my own plans and obey You faithfully.
By Cindy Hess Kasper
“Choose life, so that you and your seed may live.” — Deuteronomy 30:19
Nathan grew up in a Christian family, but when he became a college student, he began to drift away from his childhood faith, indulging in drinking and partying. “However, God brought me back to Himself when I didn’t deserve it,” he testified. Later, Nathan spent the summer telling strangers about Jesus on the streets of major US cities. He is currently engaged in youth ministry at his church. Nathan’s goal is to help young people avoid wasting time and start living for Christ.
Israel’s leader Moses was also concerned about the next generation. Knowing that he would soon have to leave the leadership, Moses gave the people God’s good commandments and then listed the results of obedience and disobedience: for obedience – blessing and life, and for disobedience – curse and death. “And you choose life, so that you and your seed may live… for [the Lord] is your life” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Moses called the people to love God, to “obey His voice and…flow to Him” (v. 20).
Sin brings consequences. If we dedicate our lives to God, the Lord will certainly have mercy on us (v. 2-3) and restore us (v. 4). This promise was fulfilled throughout the history of the nation of Israel. Today, thanks to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we have free access to communication with God. We too have a choice and are free to choose life.
In what area of your life do you find it most difficult to follow God’s path? How can you encourage the next generation to choose life?
Dear Jesus, thank You for finding a way to bring me back into communion with You.
Author: Karen Pimpo
Do you know someone who is constantly sharing something with others?
They are generous with their words, selfless with their time and generous with their money. And yet it seems that they always have something more to give.
The author of the book of Proverbs, who is traditionally considered to be King Solomon, said:
“The desires of the righteous bring them blessings, the desires of the wicked bring God’s wrath.”
Proverbs 11:25
King Solomon understood generosity. At most, the Scriptures tell us this: “King Solomon became the richest and wisest among all the kings of the world.” (1 Kings 10:23). But he was also generous: he spent years of his life financing and building the temple in Jerusalem, and he also shared the knowledge he gained with other people.
Some of the most miserable people on earth are also selfish. But if you’ve ever been generous in your life—giving money, sharing your experiences, giving time, opening your home, or providing spiritual, emotional, and physical support—you know from experience that he who renews others will be renewed.
Of course, we should not give to receive. And we must also apply God’s wisdom when it comes to setting boundaries and preventing burnout. But Jesus is the King of the inverted Kingdom, in which:
Last will be first.
The eldest will be the servant.
He who gives his life will save it.
Jesus even told a story about a poor woman who gave the most because she gave all she had (Mark 12:41-44).
To be generous, it is not necessary to be rich, it is enough to have a heart that is ready to serve.
Therefore, today, instead of scarcity thinking, we have abundance thinking. Our God has unlimited power, authority and resources.
“A person who is kind to his soul does good.” — Proverbs 11:17
Two friends came to buy a laptop at an electronics store when they suddenly saw the famous basketball player Shaquille O’Neal. Knowing that he had recently lost his sister and a former teammate, they offered him their condolences. After the two men returned to their shopping, Shakil approached them and told them to pick the best laptop they could find. Then he bought it for them simply because they saw in him a man who was going through hard times; he was touched by their kindness.
A few thousand years before this meeting, Solomon wrote: “A man who is kind to his soul does good” (Prov. 11:17). When we consider the needs of others and do what we can to help and encourage them, we ourselves are rewarded. It does not have to be a laptop or any material things; God has different ways of blessing that this world cannot measure. Only one verse above in the same chapter, Solomon explained: “A virtuous woman attains glory, and the diligent will acquire riches” (v. 16). God’s gifts are far more valuable than money, and He measures them generously in His perfect wisdom.
Kindness and generosity are part of God’s character, and He loves to see these traits in our hearts and lives. Solomon summed it up well, saying: “He who eats others will be drunk too” (v. 25).
How has God been kind to you? How can you show His love to others?
Dear God, I thank you for your goodness. Please help me to become more like You so that I too can share Your love in my life.
Author: James Banks
Of course! Here is the edited translation:
We were not created to go through life carrying heavy burdens that weigh us down.
Fortunately, we don’t have to.
“All you who are weary and burdened, come to Me and I will give you rest. Take My teaching and learn from Me, for I am gentle and submissive, and you will find rest for your souls. Because the teaching that I give you is light, and the burden that I put on your shoulders is not heavy.
Matthew 11:28-30 UMT
When Jesus came to earth, He took our burdens upon Himself. Even when we were far from God, Jesus took the punishment for our sins and endured our suffering. And thanks to this, we have a Savior who understands us and sympathizes with us.
This Savior meets us in our mess and invites us to find peace in Him. This Savior is God with us.
“Blessed be the Lord! Day by day, He carries our burdens, God, our Savior!”
Psalms 68:19 UMT
King David wrote this psalm hundreds of years before Jesus came. But even then God was showing people that His character is constant and He is reliable.
God protected Noah when the earth was flooded (Genesis 8:1) and made a covenant with Abraham to bless, protect, and multiply his descendants (Genesis 17:4-7). He cared for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 2:7) and comforted David when the people tried to kill him.
God has never failed to be true to His essence. He is our constant help in times of need. He is our source of strength. He is our Comforter and our Advocate. The God David praises in Psalm 68 is our God. He is the One who constantly cares for us, stooping down to meet us in our mess and bring us out of our brokenness.
He carries our burdens every day.
Will we still face difficult circumstances? Yes. But we never have to go through them alone. The savior of the world is near. God is with us.
“Serve one another, each with the gift he has received.” — 1 Peter 4:10
When Crystal started working at the coffee shop, she served a customer named Ibby. As the man was hearing impaired, he placed his order by typing a message on his phone. After learning that Ibby was a regular customer, Crystal decided to serve him better by learning enough sign language so that he could place his orders without writing.
In this way, Crystal showed Ibba the kind of love and service the Apostle Peter encourages us all to show to one another. In his letter to the Christians who were scattered around the world, the apostle indicates that they should have “sincere love for one another” and use their gifts to serve others (1 Pet. 4:8, 10). Whatever skills and abilities God has given us, they are all gifts that we can use for the good of others. If we do, our words and actions can bring glory to God.
Peter’s words were especially important to those to whom he wrote, because the believers were going through a time of pain and isolation. He encouraged them to serve one another in times of trouble to help them endure trials. Although we may not understand the pain another person is feeling, God will help us to show compassion and graciously and joyfully serve one another with our words, resources, and abilities. May God help us to serve others, thereby reflecting His love.
Have you experienced the kind of hospitality that Peter encourages? Who could you serve today with your words, skills, and resources?
Heavenly Father, please help me to serve others with all that You have given me.
Author: Kirsten Holmberg
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:10 are a paradox. We don’t often think of difficulties in life as a sign of strength or joy. Our culture often celebrates the physically and mentally strong, and it’s easy to exalt the successful and talented.
But Paul says that God works differently among those who follow Him. Instead of looking for those who are naturally talented and strong, God likes to use those who are weak and humble.
Our natural success and talents can get in the way of God’s work in our lives, but when we are weak and helpless, we must rely only on God’s strength.
This is why Paul says that he delights in hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, because it is at such times that God can be his strength and joy. God builds character in times of trouble.
Paul was not a naturally gifted speaker or writer, and yet God worked mightily in his weakness to produce the powerful speeches and letters that are part of the Scriptures. God’s power worked through Paul’s weakness to accomplish what Paul could not do on his own.
This perspective changes our lives. It is in moments of anxiety, weakness, or difficulty that God wants to be our strength. It is in times of persecution and hardship that God does some of His deepest work in our lives. If we are in a relationship with Him and depend on His strength, then He will be with us in times of weakness. He promises to be our strength in times of trouble.
Our default setting is selfishness.
Do not believe? Try to spend the day with the baby.
Babies want what they want, and they want it now. Toddlers will fight (and sometimes bite) to maintain control over their prized possessions. Little ones are not bothered by schedules, plans or perfectly white walls.
The good news about toddlers—and people in general—is that they are capable of becoming selfless people as they grow up. But if children are not reoriented with love and do not teach them to consider others, this selfishness will remain.
So, if we are inherently selfish people, how do we train our minds not to default to selfishness?
The Bible encourages us to model our lives after the example of Jesus…
“Do nothing deceitfully or out of conceit, but in humility regard one another as greater than yourself. Let everyone take care not of himself, but of others. May you have the same thoughts as in Christ Jesus!…”
Philippians 2:3-5
Jesus did not use His authority for personal gain—power, pleasure, control, or comfort—but took on the nature of a servant.
Jesus spent His time investing in others.
Jesus focused His attention on helping others.
Jesus gave His own life for others.
If you start to feel narcissistic, self-indulgent, or even a little self-righteous, try asking God for help.
Ask Him to help you see people as He does.
Ask Him to use any knowledge you gain to love Him and serve others.
Ask Him to give you the opportunity to lead others to Him.
God’s Word, the Holy Spirit and relationships with other believers purify our hearts. And with God’s help, we can change our tendency to live a selfish life to a selfless life.
