To Live is Christ. To Die is Gain
December 17, 2024 | Jill Robertson
About the author: Jill Robertson started attending ZPC in 1987, shortly after she and her husband, Mike, moved to Zionsville in their first year of marriage. They have been married 38 years and have two sons, both of whom started at Noah’s Ark as infants. Along with two daughters-in-laws, they have two granddaughters and another grandchild that will arrive February 7. They love to travel and hike together. Jill enjoys running, swimming, and playing pickleball. She is paring down her volunteering at ZPC, and I is active with Fondation Momprince Thomas in Haiti and Kairos of Indiana Women’s Prison. Let her know if you would like to make a dress for Egypt, Haiti, or Uganda.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:2-7
Isaiah 9 begins with “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress” and verses 2-5 identify many of the difficult times for the Israelites. Our world today is full of distress with the wars in Israel and Ukraine; the gang activities in Haiti, Mexico, and South America; states still cleaning up from multiple hurricanes and fires; ongoing political divisiveness; personal battles with physical and mental health, relationships, and time; and the list goes on. Every one of us encounters difficulties in our lives from time to time.
Mike and I just came out of a twelve-month season such as this. We moved his mother to a senior living apartment, helped our youngest son through a mental health episode, battled bed bugs at my parents’ home, and moved my parents to a senior living apartment. So much cleaning in a years’ time, our home was neglected!
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You…increased their joy; they rejoice before you…you have shattered the yoke that burdens them… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding It with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV. Amen! Hallelujah!
One of my Kairos friends has entered a life battle that is heart breaking. The week after our fall Kairos weekend, her husband went to the hospital with A-fib, which led to the diagnosis of an extremely aggressive cancer, and he has been given six months of life. She shared in a text that “He is clinging to one word from God and he urges us all to rely on this too. ‘To live is Christ. To die is gain’.” With daily eating of God’s word, continuously praying to him and singing praises, the light of Christ will bring you hope, joy, peace, and love all the time, especially in times of darkness, and this Advent season.
Activity
Reflect on your times of darkness and seek out the light of God that helped you through that dark period. Praise God for carrying you through it all and thank God for the hope of heaven. To prepare for future distress, build a relationship with our Father through reading his Word and conversing with him daily.
Prayer
Mighty God, you are our Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father. Thank you for becoming human to teach us your truth and save us from our sins. As we face distress, help us to feel your presence and know that you will carry us through with your love. Help us, Lord Almighty, to be a light to others that do not have your hope, joy, peace, and love in their hearts.
In Jesus’ name, amen.