Isaiah 9:1 “Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever” (NLT).

This year, 2024, the U.S. has seen the destruction of two devastating hurricanes that have left people without homes, livelihoods, and even their communities. Family members have died; pets, lost. A contentious political climate has people bullying and threatening each other with violence. There are mass shootings at our schools. People are fearful.

In the larger world we see horrible wars between Israel and Gaza and Russia and Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have died; cities and property, destroyed; food and medicine in short supply; hope, gone.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s that time of year when we endure rain and clouds and gloom, with sunsets near 4:00 p.m. Parents go to work in the dark, students go to school in the dark, and all go home in the dark.

And then there is whatever is happening in our private lives…

In Isaiah 9:1, the prophet Isaiah is writing to Israel, especially the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, that though they will go through a time of darkness and despair, it will not last forever. They will be invaded by other nations and life will be difficult. There will be death and destruction. But Isaiah writes…” There will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.” This is a prophesy pointing to our Lord Jesus, who will inhabit the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee and will bring salvation to all with his sacrifice on the cross. (See Mt. 4:12-17 for the story.)

This is a reminder to us, that though we may go through difficult times, just like winter turns to spring, Advent turns to Christmas, depression turns to joy. God promises us through the words of Isaiah that our despair “will not last forever.” Jesus is coming and the darkness will turn to light. There is hope!

Sarah Thompson