The gloom will be dispelled
Days of gloom surround the people of God in this world. Our immediate prospects do not look positive. Signs point to greater difficulty and a harder life ahead.
Some see the hand of God behind our tumultuous times. Certainly, he is not absent, but we must refrain from directly attributing to him the present sufferings.
Perhaps we ourselves are to blame in part for our lack of evangelism. Perhaps these things would have happened regardless, as the world goes from bad to worse. Who can say?
The Lord sent Isaiah to speak to Judah (the southern kingdom), already suffering for their own sins. More suffering was to come. But hope shone through the clouds. Unfaithful Ahaz would be replaced by the glory of God’s Messiah.
The gloom will be dispelled for those who were anxious. Isaiah 9.1 NET.
Scripture diverts our gaze from the frightening events around us so that we might see the coming of redemption. Around us is only gloom. We feel anxious looking at world events. Evil grows in power. Kingdoms rise to threaten our tranquility. From afar, we see the storm approaching. What will become of us and our children?
Isaiah 9.1 is probably a transitional verse. After the gloom of pending judgment, the prophet foretells their deliverance. People now walk in deep darkness, but will see a great Light, v. 2. The Messiah will set things aright, bring justice, establish peace and prosperity.
And this he has done, for our time. Wars are being fought and rumors of war are heard daily. But the people of God live in peace. The gloom has been dispelled. Anxiety has given way to hope. The prophetic days gave way to the fullness of time: God sent his Son, born of a woman, and gathered a new people from among the nations, Galatians 4.4.
What does this mean for us today?
First, we must reject the gloom that has taken hold of the world. Our inheritance is preserved by God’s power in the heavens, 1 Peter 1.3-5. “This brings [us] great joy” v. 6. Man can take nothing essential from us, Matthew 10.28-31. We must hold forth hope to those who are anxious and fearful, 1 Peter 3.15.
Second, we must more vigorously proclaim the Chosen One who has come and redeemed a people among the nations, 1 Peter 2.9-10. Our interest is not the United States, or Brazil, or China, or India, but the family of faith. We work to welcome more and more people into the body of Christ.
Third, we must hold forth the Holy Scriptures as the source of all knowledge and good. Only these “are able to give [us] wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 2.15-17. Only by adhering closely to them do we have hope, Romans 15.4. This is why nothing must be added to them or subtracted from them. This is why we must use only Scripture, reading it and teaching it, 1 Timothy 4.13; Ezra 7.10. Our main concern is whether we are “rightly handling the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2.15 ESV, and “teaching [it] accurately” (NET).
When we do this, the gloom will be dispelled for many. God’s love will be received and shared. Faith will replace fear.
The world will continue in darkness. The nations of earth will continue to fight and tear down mankind. But the Light will spread, until that Day when all will confess the good Name and enter eternity. Hope will be fulfilled. Glory will shine forever.
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