Choose Joyنموونە

DAY 22 – INCREASED JOY

Reflection: Sometimes described as the Paul of the Old Testament, Isaiah’s 66 chapters speak of joy more than any book in the Bible (other than Psalms), often associated with prophecies looking forward to the coming Messiah. This week in Choose Joy, we’ll find keys to a joy-strengthened life from Isaiah’s hope of a coming Saviour, Jesus, who is now with us.

Our verses today come from a famous chapter where Isaiah sees the day when God will ‘honour Galilee of the nations’ (Isaiah 9:1 NIV) – the region in which Jesus began his ministry. It also tells us that ‘to us a son is given’ who will be called, among other things, ‘Mighty God’.

But at a more personal level, we can identify with Isaiah’s reference to ‘people walking in darkness’ – even a quick look at our world, and we can feel that we too are ‘living in the land of deep darkness’.

Isaiah doesn’t leave himself or us in this place of despair – for his prophetic eye has glimpsed the dawning of great light, glowing through the ages with the promise of One who will be our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The outcome, as we read today, is ‘increased joy ‘ that comes to us despite the circumstances, when we live under the Messiah’s spiritual government of peace that never ends. No matter the events of the world over which we have no control, we will live rejoicing before God, like those reaping a mighty harvest, as victorious warriors.

Choose joy: There’s nothing we need to do to create the light of this dawn that Isaiah sees. Just turn away from darkness and turn to face this perpetual new day of his presence.