Isaiah 8:19-21  When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God.

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God is more interested in being heard than most people are in hearing and obeying.

People frequently say they want to know God’s will. Then they ignore or disagree with what they know to be God’s will. It sounds like what they really want to know is that God agrees with them about what they want, what they really, really want. If God doesn’t agree with them, they find another source, another authority. 

People in Isaiah’s day were checking in with the dead. They did not see how this was a dead end. Do not ask someone who fails all the tests, “What did you get for number 9?”

Do not ask dead people, “What is the secret of life?”

The Living God spoke through the living prophet Isaiah, “Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”

Light and life each have their source in God. Darkness and death have their source in sinful humanity. When the most important thoughts and decisions of life are on the line, where do you turn? Better question: Why would you turn to death and darkness when what you need is light and life?

Stranger Things Season 4 is out on Netflix. There is a character preparing for the battle for her life. Her adversary dwells in darkness. (Sound familiar?) When asked how she plans to survive her battle she replies, “I will hide in the light.”

Good answer.

The Living God wants to provide you with light and life. He wants you to know his words of truth and life. He wants you to live forever in the splendor of his majesty. He wants you to know and experience his highest and best. He will show you his way for you and his mission for your life. He gives his clearest answers to those who come to him with the attitude, “Whatever you want, I want, too.”

Shadows come. Darkness gathers. Some nights last forever. 

This is when the light is most welcome, most beautiful, most alluring. 

Turn toward the light. Hide yourself there. 

Live in the light of God’s truth.

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I will hide myself in the light of God’s truth. 

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Our Father, in a dark and tasteless world, empower me to live as your child of light. Empower me to reflect your goodness and purpose in all things at all times. Make your majesty apparent to everyone so they will turn away from dead ends and darkness. Amen.