Every news broadcast focuses on just one main topic. The media is dominated by these unusual, unprecedented times. Fear is felt everywhere, even among God’s children. We are, of course, no strangers to difficult times, depending on the circumstances of our lives. But we are not accustomed to the external regulations and restrictions that are now being imposed on us—and many find them even more frightening.

I was recently on a flight from the U.S. to Germany. On the screen in front of me, I could see our current flight path over and over again. There was the colorful globe, across which the plane was tracing its path, and you could see how night was falling in some areas while other parts of the world were still light. That really impressed me.

A day or two later, during a time of prayer, I saw that very same colorful globe. Suddenly, it was as if it were being wrapped in a black cloth. From then on, the news was filled with reports of the coronavirus crisis. During a time of prayer those days, I read the first verses of Isaiah, chapter 60, and it seemed to me to be a direct description of the present time:

For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the nations.
Isaiah 60:2

That is the scenario we are seeing and experiencing these days.

The name Isaiah means, “The Lord saves!” And so it is not surprising that he uses the term “salvation” three times more often than all the other prophetic books combined. He is referred to as the “evangelistic prophet” because his prophecies contain the most comprehensive and clear message about Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. He speaks of the greatness of God and His divine plan of salvation—the salvation and restoration of sinful humanity. He speaks of the revelation of God’s wonders, His power, and His promises. Isaiah mentions the Holy Spirit more than any other prophetic book in the Old Testament.

And he encourages God's people to pray for strength to weather difficult times well, so that they may share in the fulfillment of God's plans.

For behold, darkness covers the earth and thick clouds the peoples, but upon you the LORD will shine, and his glory will appear over you. And nations will come to your light, and kings to the radiance of your light.
Isaiah 60:2–3

The peoples who are still in darkness will be drawn to His light. The light pierces the darkness, and the people who are still surrounded by fear and distress turn toward the light. It is like the long-awaited sunrise after a long, difficult night.

God Himself turns the situation around. He speaks His divine “But” into this collective resignation. The light is coming! Jesus is the light. Jesus has the victory! He walked through the darkness on the cross for us. He paid the full price for you and me. He took it all upon Himself, and now we can live.

Darkness cannot overcome the light.