The Promised Liberator
2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
 on those living in the land of deep darkness 
a light has dawned.
- Isaiah 9:2
This week we’re going to be looking at the ninth chapter for the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah was a prophet who lived in Israel several hundred years before Christ. He spoke God’s word to people God cared about: pronouncing judgment and offering hope. Isaiah’s writings were frequently referenced by Jesus and by the New Testament authors.
In Isaiah 9, the prophet is in full hope-giving mode. He starts with this image of light dawning in the darkness, an image that echoes the creation narrative in Genesis 1 and is later picked up by the Apostle John.
Throughout this chapter, we hear Isaiah encouraging God’s people that God is going to send a Deliverer, a Liberator, to rescue those people who are walking in darkness. When the Liberator comes, there will be celebration (v. 3), freedom (v. 4) and peace (v. 5) that will last forever (v. 7).
The people who met Jesus were relentless in their insistence that He was this promised Liberator. His birth, life, miracles, teaching, death and resurrection were all one sweeping, surprising, unexpected freedom-generating work. No more regret. No more striving. No more un-forgiveness. No more alienation from the God who loves us and made us and longs to adopt us back into his family.
As we head toward Christmas, where do you need the Liberator to be at work in your life and relationships?
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2 Comments
Karen Ferrier Dec 8, 2014 @ 10:07 am
Every area of my life needs God's help...daily prayer time, strength to avoid distractions, forgiving others and myself...
Susan Fairbrother Dec 8, 2014 @ 6:11 am
This is my first day getting the devotional. What a wonderful start to the day. Not only being in the Word but feeling such a strong connection to CCC. God be with you in this day, being the lamp light before your path.