Abundant Grace for Salvation
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
(Isaiah 9:2, John 1:16)
You are warmly welcome to this Prayer and Revival Week as we attentively receive grace upon grace for progress from our Saviour Jesus Christ. As a Chapel and as a community, observing a week of prayer and seeking God for revival is a good thing, as we harness the power of unity and refocus for a great year ahead. We are the church militant (not yet triumphant), and our wrestling must continue – against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The attacks keep coming, so don’t relax. We thank God for his abundant grace by which he assures us of salvation and victory. Isaiah 9 beautifully illustrates and presents this good news.
Zebulun and Naphtali were part of the country of Galilee all around the sea of Gennesaret, in the northern part of Israel. These were the parts that principally suffered in the first Assyrian invasion under Tiglath-pileser (2Ki_15:29); they suffered greatly in many more invasions since they were outermost and hence the entry point into Israel from the north. They were also diluted with ‘impurities’ of pagans who mixed up with them as they came to trade and as some remained behind after invading forces went back. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali was therefore looked down upon by fellow Israelites, and suffered this shame and disgrace for a long time. Nevertheless, by God’s abundant grace, they were the first that enjoyed the blessings of Christ’s preaching the Gospel, and exhibiting his miraculous works among them – he grew up in Nazareth! Jesus Christ launched his ministry in Galilee and performed his first miracle in public there at Cana. Indeed, upon those who lived in darkness, a great light is shining.
That great light is Jesus Christ, shining even today. John introduced him as the preexistent Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us, and ‘from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace’ (John 1:16). The Greek word Charis that is translated as grace has many meanings, one of them being favour – whether deserved (as Jesus increased in… grace with God – Luke 2:52), or undeserved (as expressed by Paul in Rom 11:6 “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”) Grace is God’s new method for the believers’ growth both vertically toward God and horizontally in matters of earthly life – our careers, businesses, and family life that we may have dominion as true citizens of the Kingdom of God that is alive here.
In this Prayer and Revival Week let us position ourselves in the direction of the shining great light, that all darkness may be banished and revival and blessings ushered in. God bless you all.