The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil . . . 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 9:2–3, 6
Everybody needs deliverance from something. Everybody. The world needs deliverance; we see it every day.
The cry from first century Palestine echoes “Oh come oh come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.”
The cry for deliverance in the past is a cry for deliverance in the present:
– Oh come oh come Emmanuel and rescue captive Bellevue,
– Oh come oh come Emmanuel and rescue captive Redmond
– Oh come oh come Emmanuel and rescue captive Creekside
The world needs deliverance, but so do you. And so do I.
– Oh come oh come Emmanuel and rescue captive me, ransom us. Ransom us from the many things we need to be delivered from.
- Fear? (job, marriage, kids, money)
- Anger? (things don’t go your way, get angry).
- Bitterness? (The past controlling the present and blocking the road to the future)
- Disordered desires? (lust, greed, discontent).
What do you need to be delivered from? Advent hope is hope of deliverance, then and now. Pray, and seek: Oh come oh come Emmanuel and rescue me, deliver me —- and he will.
Peace, hope and love
Doug
