A Light in the Darkness
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6
If you’ve ever been in deep darkness, you know how desperately you long for light. Years ago, I visited a bioluminescent bay off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico. At first, the water looked completely black. But the moment you dipped your hand in, the water shimmered with radiant blue light—tiny organisms glowing like fallen stars. You could only see the beauty when the night was at its darkest.
Isaiah’s prophecy speaks to that kind of moment. God’s people had turned away from Him. Instead of trusting their Lord, Judah’s king sought political alliances and false spiritual guidance. The result was moral decay, fear, and despair. Scripture describes it this way: “They will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish” (Isaiah 8:22).
That’s when God spoke: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2).
It’s striking that the light didn’t come after the darkness lifted—it broke into the darkness. And the same is true for us. We live in a world filled with violence, injustice, and confusion. It feels like the darkness is spreading. But Isaiah reminds us that God is not absent. He is not indifferent. The light of His glory shines in the darkest places.
And that light has a name.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”
God’s answer to the darkness was not a stronger army or a louder political voice—it was a Child. The Messiah would carry the weight of a broken world upon His shoulders. Isaiah gives Him four names, each revealing the heart of our hope:
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Wonderful Counselor — His wisdom never fails, even when ours does.
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Mighty God — He has the strength to break every chain of sin and oppression.
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Everlasting Father — He loves and protects His people as His own children.
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Prince of Peace — He brings true shalom—wholeness between God and humanity.
Darkness, Isaiah says, is the absence of God. But through Jesus Christ, God Himself stepped into the darkness to bring us back into the light. He broke the rod of oppression, silenced the noise of war, and promised a kingdom where justice and righteousness will reign forever.
That’s not just a Christmas promise—it’s a present reality. Every time we trust Christ instead of fear, every time we love instead of hate, every time we walk in truth instead of compromise, His light breaks through again.
So when you feel surrounded by darkness, remember the glow beneath the surface. The light still shines. The Child has come. And His name—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—still pushes back the night.
Reading Plan This Week
- Day One: Isaiah 8:1-22
- Day Two: Isaiah 9:1-7
- Day Three: Isaiah 9:8-21
- Day Four: Isaiah 10:1-34
MBC's Bible Engagement Plan
MBC’s Bible Engagement Plan: Isaiah – From Ruin to Redemption
As a church community, our desire is to move from hearing God’s Word to living it out daily. This Bible Engagement Plan is designed to help us walk through Isaiah together in a weekly rhythm that deepens our understanding while also cultivating habits of daily reading and reflection.
- LISTEN TO THE SUNDAY SERMON
Each week begins with the Pastor’s Sunday sermon on a passage from Isaiah and includes
- Pastor’s Outline: A guide to follow along and take notes. We also suggest picking up the Isaiah scripture journal from the Welcome Center.
- Discussion Questions: Provided to encourage reflection and conversation in small groups, families, or personal study. If you are not already part of a small group, consider joining one this Fall: Click here to explore one of MBC’s small groups
- READ AND REFLECT ON THE WEEKLY PLAN
Monday through Saturday, follow the suggested reading plan outlined in the Saturday eNews Bulletin. As you read and reflect on your passage each day, ask these two guiding questions and jot down your thoughts in your Isaiah journal.
- What does this passage reveal about God—His character, His purposes, or His promises?
- How should I respond in light of what I’ve read—through trust, obedience, repentance, or worship?
- MEMORIZE THE WEEKLY KEY VERSE
Every week, one key verse from the sermon will be highlighted for memory. You are invited to use the free Bible Memory app and join the “Millington Baptist Church” Bible memorization group: Click here to join
- READ AND REFLECT ON THE PASTOR’S DEVOTIONAL BLOG
Each Wednesday, one of our pastors will share a devotional expanding on the sermon theme helping to connect Isaiah’s message to everyday life.
Why This Rhythm Matters
- Immersion: This plan helps you engage learning in multiple ways—hearing, reading, memorizing, and reflecting—so you gain a richer understanding of Isaiah’s message.
- Transformation in Community: Discussion questions and shared readings create space for us to learn together and nurture application of the biblical principles into our daily lives.
Questions or comments?
Contact Amy Huber, Director of Discipleship and Connections: ahuber@millingtonbaptist.org
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Pastor Bob Erbig and Pastor Dave Hentschel
