On Them the Light Has Shined – or – Someone Has Turned on the Lights.

 On Them the Light Has Shined – Isaiah 9:2 (part 3 – final)

Pastor Calvin Cook –

December 4, 2025

Isaiah 9:2 — “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”

Have you ever been sleeping in a very dark, quiet room and all of a sudden, you are awaken by the brightness of light filling the space. It is not like the new dawn where light gradually over takes the space. The immediate light coming into a dark space, in abrupt, unexpected, at times challenging to figure out what is going on.

I imagine the final phrase of Isaiah 9:2 to be something that we can compare this sudden light filling the room, over taking the darkness suddenly. It is a reminder of God’s grace. God doing something in our lives that we are unable to do on our own. Something that was not even asked for or planned.

“On them the light has shined.” Not earned. Not deserved. Not achieved. Given.

The Light did not ask permission to break into the darkness. It simply came.

All that was required then—and all that is required now—is this: Receive Him !

The announcement of Isaiah to the people who had walked in great darkness, had a choice to make as we do today. To receive the Light who was, and is, and always will be Jesus. Or to hide, or shield ourselves from seeing the light. A light that is all consuming.

Receive His hope.

Receive His forgiveness.

Receive His guidance.

Receive His presence that pushes back every shadow.

We don’t remove our own darkness. We simply let the Light in.

Pray with me: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world.  This Advent will you once again shine into the darkness of our hearts, our homes, our churches, and our communities. Help us not only to see Your light but to follow it, embrace it, and live in it. We receive You today—our Light, our Hope, and our Savior. Amen.

Please note – This is the final entry of three devotionals devoted to Isaiah 9:2 in case you missed one – You can find them and all the other devotionals from the past 2 years at www.pastorcalvincook.com . Thanks for reading – I hope these devotionals bless you as much as I am blessed by writing them and sharing them with you.