The Year I Read the Bible with Laurie Larsen

Episode 3: The People Who Walk in Darkness Will See a Great Light

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Laurie discusses Isaiah chapter 9 that inspired composer Frederick Handel to write Handel's Messiah. A chapter filled with imagery and powerful language, it is the prophet Isaiah's prophecy to the Jewish people of their coming Messiah, who Christians know today as Jesus.

Laurie reveals her own method for communicating with God when there is an event in her life that causes that "darkness," and how through these steps she is able to come into the light.

Laurie's guest is Allison Snyder, a friend, neighbor, fellow Christian and knowledgeable Bible scholar.  In the conversation, Allison mentions the Alpha program for churches.  Here is additional information: https://alphausa.org/ .  

In addition, Laurie and Allison were discussing the inspiring modern artwork of Jesus leaving the 99 to chase the one lost sheep, just as he does with us.  Here is that artwork: https://i.etsystatic.com/48031207/r/il/33e50a/5499957388/il_1588xN.5499957388_pzbj.jpg

Listener, if you are enjoying this podcast, maybe you'd enjoy the book, The Year I Read the Bible!  Available in every format imaginable, click right here to check it out. 

Speaker:

Hi, I'm your host Laurie Larsen, and this is The Year I Read the Bible. Welcome! A Lifelong Christian, I thought I was familiar with the Bible, but in 2023 I accepted the challenge of reading the whole thing, cover to cover. Whenever I encountered something I didn't understand or wanted to learn more, I jotted it down, but I kept reading to stay on schedule. When I finished reading. (Imagine confetti raining down on me and a huge sigh of relief.) I had more than 50 topics to research. In 2024. I started diving into all those topics. I did research, I wrote blogs, and I shared them with whoever might wanna learn too. And in 2025, the project continues. I published a book containing my essays, and now a podcast. Is there something you can learn from that dusty book that sits on all of our shelves? Yes. Yes, there is. Let's dive into The Year I Read the Bible.

Speaker:

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Life can be hard. As we humans look back over the phases of our lives, we can identify those times of life that were bright, sunny, happy, riding a bike as a child with the breeze blowing through your hair. Waiting for the perfect wave in the ocean, then climbing onto your boogie board and squeeing happily as it transports you quickly to shore kissing for the first time, the person who will eventually be the love of your life. Taking your newborn child home from the hospital, knowing that your life will change in drastic ways, but looking forward to this milestone of life. Landing the job you'd spent years preparing for. Knowing it will make a huge difference in your family's lives because of its challenges and opportunities.

Speaker:

But for every sunny circumstance, there can also be darkness. While on that exciting bike ride. You could run over a pothole and fall scraping your knees or breaking a bone. That perfect wave could throw you underwater head over heels, scraping you on the bottom and filling your sinus cavities with salty water. You get the idea. There's darkness and there's light.

Speaker:

In general, we want to be in the light. We know that darkness will enter our days, but we also have faith that eventually the sun will come up and we'll be walking in the light again. How in Isaiah nine, one of the old Testament's, most prolific prophets to the Jewish people wrote, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned you have enlarged the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. Isaiah nine, two and three.

Speaker:

When I read this text, I immediately wonder, how don't you? This section paints a powerful illustration of people walking in the darkness, but the sun has finally risen. I'm sure the ancient Jews wondered how as well, their lives as described in the Old Testament. Were never easy, lacking so many of the modern luxuries we enjoy now. The answer to our question is given, starting in verse six in this very famous text for to us, a child is born to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called wonderful counselor. Mighty God, everlasting Father. Prince of peace, of the greatness of his government and peace. There will be no end. Isaiah nine, six, and seven. Jesus, the prophesied savior is the answer. He will be the great light given to the people walking in darkness.

Speaker:

I find this simple truth to be valid in my own life. When I am sad or depressed or stressed out or dejected by any number of life's challenges, I almost subconsciously seek out the light. Jesus. I go to a quiet place where I can be in his presence, the beach or the woods, or even just a quiet room in my house, and shut the door. I close my eyes and shove all that dark stuff out of my mind. I breathe in and out. I calm my racing heart and mind, and I focus on my heavenly father. Then I speak to him out loud is best. I start with all those things that I am thankful for. Thank you. Thank you, God for my health, for my husband, for my sons, for my on and on and on. Because no matter how dark the circumstances are in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.

Speaker:

Draw your attention away from the bad things, which granted are real true things. But they'll be there when you're done. For right now, let's focus instead on what is good. Then I ask him to watch over me as I deal with whatever issue or problem is causing me this darkness. What would he have me do? What's his guidance? How should I handle it? Regardless of how open I think I am to his answer, I don't get a booming response at that moment. But by asking in this way, I've opened a portal in my heart to receive an answer. When he sees fit to provide it, most likely the answer will come to me when I'm doing something else, worshiping him, listening to music, talking to a friend, reading the Bible, walking, the answer will come because I've asked him.

Speaker:

And he's always faithful to respond, but for now, I move on to worshiping him first, thanking him, then asking him for help, then worshiping him. Because I understand how great he is, how awe inspiring and he deserves our praise. Maybe I'll recite some song lyrics or bible verses that I've memorized, or maybe I'll sing one of my favorite praise songs. It doesn't matter. He gets it. And when I rise from this session, the light has begun to dawn on the darkness. Sure, the problem that sent me there hasn't gone away. It's still there, but by handing it over to God for his handling, it takes the pressure off me, and the next time I find myself in the midst of a dark problem again. As I will be. Inevitably, I remember what it feels like to be in the light and I grab it to my chest.

Speaker:

That's a little look at how I personally deal with times of trouble in my own life. I welcome you to do it in yours. Let me know how you make out.

Speaker:

Before I close this devotion, I wanted to touch briefly on someone else who is inspired by this section of Isaiah. Did the lyrics sound familiar to you? Maybe you hear them twice a year at Christmas and Easter. Yes, it's handles Messiah. The German composer, George Friedrich Handel became a naturalized British citizen in 1727. He became well respected and honored for his composing skills. He received a pension from the court of King, George ii. He held the office of Composer of Music for the Chapel Royal. And he'd even had a statue erected in his honor in the AL Gardens, something almost unheard of for a living person. His long list of music compositions was impressive, of course.

Speaker:

Although by the early 1730s. The public appreciation for the opera format was beginning to fade. Handel remained committed to the genre in 1741. He was inspired by a communication from wealthy landowner Charles Jennings to write a substantial composition using the Isaiah nine text as its base Wikipedia states. Quote, the music for Messiah was completed in 24 days of swift composition. Having received Jenn's text sometime after the 10th of July, 1741. Handle Began work on it on the 22nd of August. His records show that he had completed part one in outline by August 28th. Part two by September 6th and part three by September 12th, followed by two days of filling it up to produce the finished work on the 14th of September end quote.

Speaker:

Amazing. And I'm willing to bet that every listener of this podcast has heard a performance of handle's Messiah sometime in your life. Now, in the 21st century, it truly became the masterpiece of an already masterful composer. Yeah. My dad, a longtime bass singer, has a tattered book containing the complete score of the Messiah that he acquired while he was singing the composition in college in the 1950s. He brings it along every year when he finds an offering of a sing along Messiah at a local church or university. I sang the Hallelujah chorus section of the Messiah in my college choir where I sang the alto part, and I also sang it later in a church choir where I was a soprano. So I'm familiar with both parts and often combine my favorite parts when singing along.

Speaker:

Jesus is the great light. For those people walking in the darkness the next time you find yourself in the darkness. I hope you try some of the practices in this post to find the light. Let's pray. Dear God, thank you for providing light in the darkness. Thank you for being available to us so that we can talk to you about our problems. Thank you for our blessings and worship You. For your greatness. Amen. And now for your listening pleasure.

Laurie:

And we are back, and I am here with my friend Allison Snyder. Allison, thank you so much for joining me on the year I read the Bible podcast.

Allison Snyder:

Oh, you're welcome, Lori. My pleasure.

Laurie:

Why don't you start by telling us just a little bit about yourself and then also about how you and I got acquainted with each other.

Allison Snyder:

Yeah, that's a great place to start. Well I am a, married mother of, two adult children, a 26-year-old and a 42-year-old, both daughters. Lori is my neighbor. That's how I met her. Actually I think we met during lockdown, didn't we, Lori?

Laurie:

I think you're right. Yes.

Allison Snyder:

Yeah. So during the COVID thing, and, that was one of the many huge things, as I'm sure anybody listening can relate to that. When the Lord throws a wrench in things, that just means he's about to do something big. And, eating Lori was one of the big things she introduced me to, Alpha, which I would highly recommend to anybody at, the church we were going to. And she said, why don't you come with me? And so, Lori, I don't think you made very many, but I made every one, right?

Laurie:

Yes. And you were a big supporter of Alpha and I know you also recommended it to other friends in your life who you thought might need it. Yeah. I'll try to find a description to Alpha and put it in our, episode notes so that people who might not be familiar with it. We'll know what we're talking about, but it is really great program. And I just wanted to say, Allison is a very knowledgeable Bible scholar. She led uh, Bible study in her home about the Easter story. And it was just me and you and your mother-in-law, in your home, and you did such a great job of, taking us through that beautiful story. But also what I was most impressed with is you would follow the guide, but then you would say, oh, and this reminds me of another. Segment of the Bible in this book, and you would start flipping the pages and I'm like, oh my gosh, how does she do that? So you were one of the, motivators for me to dig more deeply into the Bible.

Allison Snyder:

Wow, Lori, that is really kind of you to say that. Just, you know, for whoever's listening, I am not really a Bible scholar.

Laurie:

Yes, you are.

Allison Snyder:

I actually came to Christ really late in life, so for those of you, I feel like we're talking with friends here. If you have considered Christ and You've just been turned off by things that you see in the media, but, that there's just something or anything else, just something maybe you personally don't like about scripture. You know? Too confining too, you know, the fact that you are asking yourself these questions and that you are, challenging yourself is huge and God is never, ever, put off or offended by your questions. When you get into the Bible and you read the stories of people, in the Bible, I used to think before I actually read the Bible. That the people in the Bible were probably just these really good people who never got into trouble, never got depressed, never got anxious, never had trouble with their kids or their job. oh my goodness. I just encourage you to continue with lori's podcast because you will find out that, uh, these are people just like you and me and Lori. And it will change your life.

Laurie:

Yes. Thank, thank you so much for saying that. That is so, so true. And they were real people. This isn't just a book of fairytales or, made up stories. These were historical figures that, we can learn from even in the 21st century. So thank you for bringing that up. That's awesome. Okay. Well, this week's episode featured, Isaiah nine, and it's such a powerful section of the Bible that is filled with amazing imagery. What do you think of when you think of people who walk in darkness and how they will see a great light? What did that section bring to your mind? I.

Allison Snyder:

Lori, I think immediately I thought of Jesus Christ. And even as we talk about it right now, i'm thinking about a light, was the sign that he was going to come into the world and I think of the Star of Bethlehem. so I think of that. And there is tremendous imagery and you see that throughout the Bible. Bob and I, Bob is my husband. We were reading in, first John about walking in the light and how. It's a good thing. There's darkness all around us and we get, worn out by darkness. Just reading the news every day, trying to be an informed person, we wonder who to believe. It feels dark, it feels heavy, but with Jesus there is always light. It doesn't mean there isn't going to be conviction sometimes, which is uncomfortable, but there is always, always light.

Laurie:

Yes. That is such a great analogy of people see a great light and you brought up the Star of Bethlehem, and Jesus just being the light of the world. That's a great connection. And yeah, I agree. The world is very dark. I don't think anyone can look at the state of the world as it is right now, or has even been in the last several hundred years and think that, it's not a dark time in human history. This gives us hope, this hope of light, is right here in Isaiah nine. So in the essay that I wrote, I shared my method for connecting with God, both when I'm in a dark spot or when I'm facing any kind of stressor or problem in my life. I focus my mind on him. I speak to him. I thank him for the blessings in my life. I ask him to watch over me and take control of my problem, and then I worship him because I understand how great he is and that he is listening. That's my process that I described. What's your process for seeking the light when you have a specific problem in your life?

Allison Snyder:

First of all, as I read through your essay, I agreed with that method. In fact, I learned a lot from it. The thing that really stuck out to me was, physical part of it, the breathing in and out, breathe in his, light. If I, realize we can't breathe in light, but as we breathe in life giving air, we think of that as, his light and as we breathe out, we expel darkness problems. One thing you said that was very important, this isn't like, you know, mumbo jumbo stuff. The problem is still going to be there, but he will go to work as we ask him, and we're gonna feel differently about the problem. But just circling back a bit, that the physical part, I really liked that. Also liked, reading scripture, just sitting, as you say, to get into a quiet place. By yourself. Everybody can go into a room. You might not be able to get to the beach or the woods, but most of us can get to a room, even a bathroom, and shut the door. We remember our kids are old world, but we remember when they're little and. You know, going someplace, even the bathroom is just fine. God's not offended. In fact, I think he looks with such love on that, that we are just going after him and we

Laurie:

yes.

Allison Snyder:

will have him. And then just opening your Bible and reading scripture. One thing I think, speaking out loud is really good. Speaking, audibly to him that focuses us and. We're just fixing on him. The other thing that came to me, as I was, thinking about, your essay was that, he's speaking me. He's speaking to you. His word is alive. It is living. It is active. Hebrews four 12 says that it is living, active and sharper than any double-edged sword. that when we know that that is God and he's on our side no matter what we're going through, that is incredibly encouraging and gives us a sense of being held and protected by our father. Just speaking scripture out loud,

Laurie:

Mm-hmm.

Allison Snyder:

and praying out loud.

Laurie:

That's such a good point because I mean, I've been a lifelong Christian. I've always believed in God and I've always been involved in a church and I wrote Christian fiction for 10 years before, I wrote this, nonfiction book that has ended up, resulting in this podcast, I was always a big prayer. I was always a big worshiper. I loved singing worship songs. I loved going to church and hearing sermons, and God spoke to me through those venues. I would hear lyrics of a song and it would really speak to my heart, and I would thank God for that message. But what I was missing was daily. Regular Bible reading just on my own. And I would of course, read the. Old Testament and the New Testament that the Church Service said, okay, here's our Old Testament reading. Here's our New Testament reading, here's the sermon. I mean, I always enjoyed that, but God really speaks to us through our own. Bible reading. And that's something that I now, I know I missed out on for so many years. When something is on our mind and we're praying for help, and then we read a Bible sec. I mean, almost always there's an answer or a message or an encouragement in the section that you're reading, and you can look at it and recognize it and say, oh my gosh, God is speaking to me through his written word.

Allison Snyder:

Yes. Couldn't agree more with that. He does speak through this personal interaction with scripture. if you're thinking to yourself, I don't even know where to begin, you can open up your Bible and just start reading, and if you feel like that's not speaking to you, go in the back and look at the concordance. You know, maybe you're anxious,

Laurie:

Mm-hmm.

Allison Snyder:

maybe you're depressed, Look it up.

Laurie:

Or

Allison Snyder:

the

Laurie:

any number of devotionals, daily devotionals that, you could go to your Barnes and Noble, or your bookstore shelf and look for. Okay. I think I want a, daily devotional. About this topic or that topic, and I have friends who get a lot of value out of reading the devotionals that guide them through, the Bible based on what those devotionals recommend.

Allison Snyder:

That, a great idea. There are so many good devotionals. I think probably the only thing that I would caution is that, always go back to God's word. Always go back to what he says, you

Laurie:

Mm-hmm.

Allison Snyder:

doesn't ring true for you, because the people who write devotionals are people like you and me. They're, they're

Laurie:

Yes.

Allison Snyder:

a re, they're not a replacement for God and a replacement for God's word. And I think it's always important as you go through a devotional to have your Bible opened because I, I

Laurie:

Yes.

Allison Snyder:

it's really tempting just to read a devotional. Yeah, well, you know, I can

Laurie:

Yeah,

Allison Snyder:

with one stone, you know,

Laurie:

you're right. Yes, you're right.

Allison Snyder:

because the Lord is you have his word open, might say, okay, that's great. Now let's, go someplace else. I wanna show you this and sometimes you can get just the most amazing encouragement beyond

Laurie:

Yeah.

Allison Snyder:

What you started with, you know?

Laurie:

And the other thing that I, always try to focus on things might be bad. There might be illness or, a financial problem or whatever is going on in our lives that is causing that darkness, but

Allison Snyder:

Hmm.

Laurie:

I don't care what. Is going on in my life. I can always find something to be grateful for, and it's the gratitude. I think just searching for those things to be grateful for and thanking God for those things. It helps to lift some of that darkness because I realize that, human life. There's always seasons and sometimes the season is not real positive, but you're always gonna look back through our history. We will always come out of it. We will always see the light. We'll always move on and finding those things I. To thank God for God. I thank you that I woke up today. I thank you for this wonderful cup of coffee that I have the privilege of drinking. I thank you for this dog who's laying on my lap that I can pet. Thank you for my husband, like just those things that even if there's issues or problems in my life, I can always thank him for those things.

Allison Snyder:

I totally agree. Lori, I'm speechless with agreement. Would you say that that's kind of a learned skill

Laurie:

Yes, but I think it's also, my mother taught me that my mother is one of the most optimistic and grateful and happy people. I was so blessed to be raised by a mother who, raised me that way. She raised my brother and I that way. And I think in some ways it is somewhat how you grew up or it may be a learned, behavior later on in your life.

Allison Snyder:

Yeah, I have found it to be much easier since becoming a believer. I was born again. It was a process for me. I wasn't raised in a Christian home. I was raised by really wonderful parents. They did their best. I always felt loved and accepted. But there was an empty hole and they came to Christ as elderly people, which was kind

Laurie:

Oh,

Allison Snyder:

Yeah,

Laurie:

how exciting.

Allison Snyder:

I was the baby and I came first. What you were saying about the gratitude. I'm grateful. And I know you, thank him for this too. Lori. I'm, thankful that he hears me because I have a relationship with him through his

Laurie:

Yeah.

Allison Snyder:

You know,

Laurie:

Yes.

Allison Snyder:

he chooses, us. He goes after us, like scripture says, he is the good shepherd who goes after the sheep, and he leaves the 99 to go after one. And if you're

Laurie:

Absolutely.

Allison Snyder:

if you're listening, honey, he's going after you. He is going after you with such tender love and power too.

Laurie:

I love that. And have you seen the modern artwork of him holding that sheep? Maybe I can find that and put it in the notes too, but

Allison Snyder:

be,

Laurie:

there's,

Allison Snyder:

wonderful. You

Laurie:

yeah. Yes.

Allison Snyder:

Yes.

Laurie:

Yeah.

Allison Snyder:

of the gentle shepherd holding the sheep, is, just huge. 'Cause we're that sheep and he is holding us. Ann Graham Lott said something very important. She said, God is a gentleman. If, you don't want him or you refuse him, he's not gonna just bust down the door. You know?

Laurie:

Yeah.

Allison Snyder:

It's good.

Laurie:

your choice. It's your choice. Yeah.

Allison Snyder:

agency and the ability to make a choice. I know with all his heart, he wants us to choose him.

Laurie:

Great. Well, let's talk for a second about Handel's Messiah. So, Frederick Handel used the Isaiah nine, section that we, have spent today talking about, to write his. Beautiful masterpiece, the Messiah, which part of it is the Hallelujah chorus and, we just listened to it. Do you have any connection or involvement with handles Messiah, and, have you ever sang it? Does it mean anything to you? What does it mean to you?

Allison Snyder:

You know, that is, interesting. When I first became a believer, I remember having a knowledge of it just on a secular level because it is a masterpiece, as you say, and it is sung all over the world, generally at Christmas, although so much of it has to do with Easter, you

Laurie:

Mm-hmm.

Allison Snyder:

the resurrection. I remember just being filled with the Holy Spirit when I heard it as a believer. And I remember playing it on Christmas morning when my daughter was young. It's extremely powerful. It's funny what you said in your essay. About how he did it in 24 days.

Laurie:

I know that's amazing

Allison Snyder:

is, it was crazy. I just thought, wow, that is, he was

Laurie:

and it.

Allison Snyder:

you know, and I'm A very joyful way.

Laurie:

And it was a period of time where, he didn't have all the electronic help that I'm sure songwriters use now. I mean, it was old fashioned, just, you know, banging it out and writing it down.

Allison Snyder:

Yeah.

Laurie:

Yeah, it's a beautiful piece. Well listen, I don't wanna keep you any longer. I wanna thank you so much for coming on and I loved our conversation and you are just a dear friend and a wonderful inspiration to me in so many ways. So thank you so much for your time today, Alison.

Allison Snyder:

Thank you, Lori, and everything you just said right back at you. Looking forward to, our next, time that we get to spend together.

Laurie:

Great, and I'm going to recruit you to, come on another podcast too.

Allison Snyder:

I'll be at the ready. This was fun, and I just want to thank anybody who's listening for your time in listening to us. I love that Lori keeps it about 20 minutes, you know, in this time of. fragmented attentions. That's just about right. I humbly thank you for listening.

Laurie:

Thank you so much, Allison.

Allison Snyder:

Okay.

Speaker:

And that's it for today. Thank you very much for being here with me on The Year I Read the Bible Podcast. We'll be back with another episode next week. If you enjoy this podcast, please do all the normal things to spread the word: like it, review it, share it with your friends. If you are interested in additional The Year I Read the Bible resources such as the book, the video channel, and the blog, I will certainly include the links in the show notes. And I'd love to hear about your own journey to read the Bible cover to cover. Have you done it or are you doing it right now? Please reach out to me and let me know how it's going. Until next time, it's Laurie Larsen with The Year I Read the Bible. Bye.

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