The children of Israel were getting ready to experience a natural darkness via the captivity of Assyria. Some of the individuals of Israel had violated the covenant God set. Still, when the nation was punished, those deserving and undeserving both experienced the same darkness. Whether the person was directly responsible or someone was experiencing this tragedy because of someone else's bad decisions, God's love was too strong to leave them in such devasting circumstances. And he used Isaiah to encourage them. The trouble you are experiencing today -- whether it is your fault or not -- God loves you too much to leave you there. Listen for God's voice. Look for Jehovah's provision. Expect to experience the Father's love.

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined." The tribes, and thus lands, of Zebulun and Naphtali were vulnerable to attack because of their location in Israel. The constant threat required that they become competent warriors. Being able to navigate through darkness doesn't make the absence of light any easier. And when light finally shines in that space, we tend to cherish it more. As we end this Advent season, there is something about being able to experience the light of Christ because you have had to live through the darkness of this world. The blessing of this season is not in everything being easy; it is in recognizing the love and light of Christ even when things are hard!