A Light Has Dawned

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

A Light Has Dawned

Date: Apr. 5, 2022

Passage

Isaiah 9:1-7 (ESV)

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2   The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
  those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
3   You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
  they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4   For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5   For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6   For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7   Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
  on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
  with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:2

  The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
  those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.

After the darkness comes the dawn of a new day. This passage is a Messianic prophecy of the coming of a wonderful savior. A child is born, and a son is given. Even though a child is powerless and immature, the Bible puts great hope in the birth of such a child. Jesus came as a baby in a manger. He was born in the midst of struggle and oppression, in obscurity from the world. Yet he became the Lord of a kingdom that extends beyond physical borders and the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

For those who live in a place of deep darkness and shadow, Jesus is the light of dawn. He reaches out to those in the pits of humanity to bring them out of despair. Our Lord is the everlasting Lord who establishes justice and righteousness in a broken and fallen world. He cares for the marginalized, lonely, and despised. He establishes justice for the abused, the enslaved, and the neglected. He is full of zeal to accomplish this. His love and passion for humanity gives hope to all.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, you sent your son as a baby in a manger to be a ray of hope in dark times. Thank you for your great love and zeal to save me.

One Word: One Word: To us a child is born.

Rebekah’s Decision of Faith

Genesis 24:50-67

Key Verse: 24:58

And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”

Today's Question

How is Christ our redeemer?

See answer and references