Realm of the Preyed Upon

Isaiah 9:2-5

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

But first, let's see the goodness of God that leads to repentance as in Isaiah 9:2-5. God's rod and his staff have come with something behind it my friends. In other places there in the Scripture we see that the rod and the staff have been broken. Yet when has God's power ever been broken, his guidance questioned, or his provision ever ran out. Such is just not in his nature my friends. Here we see the provision of God in a situation much the same way as told in the text. See, you might be down and out but not for long. Now is the situation seen even of those that once walked in darkness. So too are there some dwellers in the shadow there to be found. But how many of you know God will not suffer any for long to be lost or gone from his house.

Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

You might be walking in darkness or dwelling in the shadow now but when God calls you are coming on out. Notice here the realm of the shift. There once was the darkness and with it the death but oh joy comes in the morning after the weeping and rains that have come. God has but one solution for those that are waiting in this, that of the light of his life. Notice his life as unto the light of men which some have looked after. Then too, see how God has rod and his staff of provision and guidance ready and waiting for all who seek his face. Look now with me if you will at the realm of the shift. There is room enough for all with plenty to share and hardly any lack.

For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

Notice how the nation is multiplied without any joy. Yet when it does break forth it comes down with rejoicing for the time of the spoil and harvest thereof have come. You might wonder then at the shift. For has not God been ruling and reigning over all, all along. See, some earthly rulers, some other powers, and authorities had been suffered but not for long. It seems then God will not tolerate any to be strayed from his house. So then come the rod and the staff the enemy has taken all for themselves. With it though, comes the rebuke of God's power as he caught it and broke it in two. For there is a yoke, a shoulder, a burden, and an oppressor to be seen that is not as some would say like unto God. My, it is a shouting text indeed to see all things turned into good.

For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

See now how the oppressor and the enemy are made to serve unto God. By him taking and breaking their yoke, their rod, and their staff, their guidance has ended and with it their provision. For such was not unto God with its people held captive and alone. With God having taken his rightful position up again, there is no longer any need or lack in the house nor is there want for any provision. His rod and his staff are back again with their rightful owner and of sin are they broken no longer. It seems then that all is well in the house of the Lord and so shall he keep his people well as they go from strength to strength, each one appearing in Zion until we shall come before our God and so dwell in the house of the Lord forever.