How We Have Been Given This Great Gladness

Today’s Word of Encouragement from Wayne:

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. You shall multiply the nation, you shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in Your presence"

Isaiah 9: 2-3.

Walk in the light of Christ today, my brothers and sisters, and He will Personally "increase [your] gladness."

Even in this passage from Isaiah, which we have been looking at for three days now, it is clearly stated that this wonderful and "great light," which was to be granted, is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The expressed reason given as to why this light and gladness would occur is stated in verse six, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Yes, this is the famous passage we look at each Christmas, and may even sing - "for unto us a child is born," from Handel’s Messiah. But did you know that this prophecy of our Lord’s birth was in direct connection to your experiencing great and increasing gladness in His presence?

God has sent Jesus to us that we would walk in His light and rejoice in His light. What a great privilege you and I have been given, to have available to us, every moment of every day, to enter the light of His presence and increase our gladness in Him.

So, when we do join with our Lord in His presence, to minister to Him and give thanks, we are truly in the presence of our "Wonderful Counselor," Whose word and wisdom are here to fill our lives with His comfort and direction.

We are also in the presence of our "Mighty God," for Whom nothing is impossible and Who will always build us up in Himself, strengthening us in faith, hope, and love in His presence.

We are also in the presence of our "Eternal Father" in Whom we behold the Oneness of Father and Son, seeing His awesome and eternal Paternal purpose, love, and commitment to us, fulfilled in Christ.

We are also in the presence of our "Prince of Peace," Jesus Christ, Himself, Whose peace, the peace of Himself, fills us even now, and is always here to increase our gladness and calmness in His presence.

Anyone who says they believe in Christ and yet does not receive this inner light gladness and fellowship, experienced with God in His presence, is missing out on true life-enhancing inner court fellowship with our awesome God. What Christian, in their right mind, would not want to have real time, increasing gladness and fellowship with God in His presence, in the very presence of our "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of peace?"

So, beloved of God, leave all the darkness behind you and run for His presence today. Yes, walk in the light of Christ today, my brothers and sisters, and He will Personally "increase [your] gladness," in the grace and knowledge of Himself. Hallelujah!