When we are surrounded by darkness, we can hope for the promise of light. Read Isaiah 9:1-2. We use darkness to describe many things. When we take a tour inside a cave, and they turn off the lights, we are surrounded by total darkness, which is the absence of light. We also use darkness to describe evil. Darth Vader invited Luke Skywalker to come to the “dark side.” Darkness can also describe loneliness as felt in Paul Simon’s lyric, “Hello darkness, my old friend.” Simon wrote the words while sitting in a dark bathroom as a 21-year-old, feeling as if no one understood him. Depression is sometimes described as darkness. In Isaiah’s context, darkness describes a people who are seeking answers but are not turning to God for those answers. They are consulting mediums and spiritists to inquire of the dead. Isaiah described this practice as futile because what advice could a dead person possibly give to the living? Then, Isiah turns from negative to positive when he wrote, “The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light.” When we turn to God, we turn from darkness to light. This light is the light of God, who promises us the Prince of Peace who will give us inner peace. This hope of peace is not just for the people of Israel, but is offered to anyone who puts their faith in God and chooses to follow God’s ways. If you find yourself in darkness, whatever form that darkness takes, the way out of darkness is to trust God with your whole heart and soul.

Holy God of Peace, we pray for anyone who finds themselves living in the darkness of loneliness, depression, or evil. Bring forth your light in our lives and strengthen our faith so that we may find the peace that comes from trusting you. Amen.