Daily Treasure

“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.  To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house” (Isaiah 42:6-7).

God was preparing the Israelites, so they could be a light to other nations.  They were a covenant people to whom He gave the promise of a coming Messiah. The gospel would come “to the Jew first,” and they would then shine that light to the Gentiles. God planned that the Jews would be the first lights—piercing the darkness for those in the bondage of sin. They knew what it was like to be taken as captives and put in prison. The promise of the Messiah gave them great hope. To this day, the nation of Israel neither sees nor understands the role they  played in fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah. The Israelites were looking for an earthly king instead of the King of Kings.

Many remain shackled in the prison of sin.  We can be a light that leads them to the One who can set the captive free—no matter our origin or nationality.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for military men and women serving in difficult/dangerous areas of the world.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined”  (Isaiah 9:2).

This month we are going to learn about another aspect of light— “redemptive light.”  In Isaiah 9, we find the promise of that Light in the prophecy of the coming Messiah.

God sent His Son to shed His light on our sinful nature. Our study writer states: “Not only did Jesus Christ shine on us with His perfect righteousness to diagnose the sin problem, He also provided a cure. His redemptive light offers all of us healing and restoration when we put our trust in Him.”  The Creator who made the light guides and redeems us by the True Light.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Does your checkbook and your prayer time reveal your priorities for worldwide evangelism? Pray to improve. Pray also for workers returning to the states this week.

“Just to go across the river with you is all the honor I need”  (2 Samuel 19:36 NLT).

We think we need a lot of things in life, don’t we?  We feel the need to be surrounded by our stuff.  We build bigger garages, reorganize closets, purchase portable storage buildings and rent units uptown in order to safely keep all the things we’ve collected—the things we need.

But as we slip into eternity, as our last breath is drawn and our choice of Heaven or hell is rewarded to us, we find Jesus is all we need.

We need His blood covering us as we stand before the Almighty God.

We need His reference to our acceptance of His salvation as we enter the throne room of God’s judgment.

We need His guarantee that our names are in the Book of Life as we pass through gates of pearl.

We need His hand, His strong hand, to guide us across the river of life and into our Promised Land.

In the end, He is all we need.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Thank God we live in a country that allows us many freedoms. Pray to effectively use these privileges for His glory.

“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).

This verse is a companion to yesterday’s key verse.  Rain falls on the just as well as on the unjust.  One big difference is in the midst of adversity the just will see God’s Light come bursting forth when needed the most. God will never leave the righteous to sit indefinitely in darkness.

We all have heard others say, “I don’t know how people make it in this life without the Lord.”  I don’t know about you, but I would never want to find out.  Others have said, “The most famous words in the Bible are ‘and it came to pass.’”  Look on the bright side and allow His Light to guide, protect and encourage you as you live for Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: We make time for things we wish to do. Are Bible reading and prayer part of the things you’ve chosen to make time for today?

“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me” (Micah 7:8).

We’ve all faced dark days.  Even people in the Bible could identify the last part of today’s verse. There’s no shame in feeling down; just don’t stay down.

One familiar saying goes: “It’s not how far you fall; it’s how high you bounce.”

God sees how the enemy reacts when you fall.  He sees the pain and tears that fill the dark days you are experiencing. God gently whispers, “Get up and let my light guide you through this.”  Calm yourself so you can hear Him speak to you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Practice putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18). Do it daily in prayer before leaving your bedroom.

“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16).

I’m reminded of the old saying, “There is none so blind as he who will not see.” Satan has blinded people to the truth of the gospel.  Israel, God’s chosen, was no exception. God made Israel (and us today) a promise.  Reach out for His hand, and with your hand in His, He will lead you out of darkness into His glorious light. He loves you and will never forsake you.

If you are tired of stumbling around in the dark, look up and behold His Light.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Following our Commander in Chief, pray that this day may be one of victory for Him.

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19).

We do have to choose wisely the path we will take in life. The person who walks in God’s guiding light will find each day brighter than the day before. Her witness and testimony make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The wicked stumble around in the dark. Eventually their path leads to destruction.  The impact they make is a negative one, because they often tend to drag others on their downward spiral.

Knowing the contrast between the two paths should help us make a good choice.  It’s the difference between night and day.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: March, March, March. “I’m in the Lord’s Army.” Remember that chorus? Pray to stand firm and stay in step with the Spirit.