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Often people say, "I'm not a morning person."
That light peeking through the window, "ouch!"
I, however, love the morning for it is a sure sign of new life and a new day! In our part of the country, the long summer days begin with the coolness of the morning as the sun rises over the mountains and ends late in the evening as the sun sets over other mountains. The darkness of night is sandwiched by the beauty of daylight. Light is a symbol of healing. Years ago, a doctor suggested treatments for a skin condition with ultraviolet light.
These folks sure were suffering, and many suffered consequences from their own choices, others because of other's choices. Dark times, like darkness, can be scary. I recall that dark culvert my brother used to try to get me to wade through. The water was not deep, but the darkness made it appear very scary. The idea here is that hope and healing would arise like the dawn amidst darkness and despair.
Light brings healing and spreads hope
The last few years of the pandemic, economic stress, and other stressors have been very fearful times as we faced an unknown. Yet in the midst of darkness and stress, light is received.
Isaiah 58:8 and following states:
"Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.
Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind."
Salvation or deliverance comes like the morning sunrise of dawn! God's light then begins to bring healing, and his glory (light) follows behind us as well, protecting us. God's glory, or light, shall be your protection like the rear guard of an army.
But now light is not only received but also given
Verse 10 declares:
Feed the hungry and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring. (NLT version).
So now we not only receive light and help but God asks us to give it away by helping those in trouble. We are not meant to keep the help we receive from God, but we are asked to "spread the light." Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations. You will be called repairer of broken walls, restorer of streets with dwellings."
Big bandages of God's love – healing
Verse 9 declares: "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal."
Interestingly, The Hebrew word used here, ('ărûkâh), means properly "a long bandage" (from'ârak, "to make long"), such as is applied by surgeons to heal a wound (compare Isaiah 1:6). The root word suggests 'setting right, restoring." It is healing which is secured by the application of the bandage; and figuratively here means their restoration from all the trouble which had been inflicted on the nation. The word rendered 'spring forth' (from tsâmach) is used for plants germinating (compare the Isaiah 42:9). Here the sense is that if they would return to God, they would experience deliverance, healing and peace. God lovingly binds up our wounds, speaks hope to our brokenness, and provides restoration.
Where do you need healing? Are you dealing with addictions, broken relationships, hopelessness, purposelessness or other needs? Allow God to bandage your wounds.
Enjoy a new dawn of morning in your life! In the chaos and calamities of life, simply receive the gift and hope of God's light, love, and healing for your needs. Then allow God's light and grace to spring up and flow out with healing for others – light received, light given, healing received, healing poured out!
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Dan Hamilton is chaplain at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.