Hope for the hopeless
I was reading in Isaiah yesterday for my Bible Study, and I came across a passage that really encouraged me. It reminded me that our God is both good and merciful. While he was warning Ahaz of the role Assyria would be playing in Israel’s future, and telling him of the disaster that would befall on Israel, he also gave them hope. But not only did He give Israel hope, but he gave the entire world hope. All of fallen man now has unlimited access to Creator God through His Son, and God is continually reaching out to the lost of this world. When I read this passage, I was immediately reminded of the millions of men, woman, and children in slavery around the world today. Did you know that there are more people in slavery today than in any other time in history? Men, Woman, and Children around the world have been captured or sold into slavery and are living in darkness today with little hope to keep them going. I have often found myself discouraged wondering how I can help the little girl who’s Daddy (the very man God put into her life to protect and guide her) sold her to be a sex slave at the age of 6 so that he could take care of the rest of the family. How do I help the little boy who works all day in forced labor to pay off a debt his father left? Whose hands are raw and bleeding, and never gets his 15 minute break and goes without lunch or dinner most days. And the young man who was forced as a little boy to become a soldier in Africa and is now scarred by the battles in more than one way? The truth is, I can’t do anything for them. But God can.
The People who walk in darkness will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
You shall multiply the nation, you shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence as with the gladness of harvest,
as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, and cloak rolled in blood,
will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father; Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
