Arise and Shine

June 23, 2019

I really love the book of Isaiah and chapter 60 is one of my favorites. So many promises of God, so much of Christ is in this chapter.

“Arise, shine, for your light has broken through! The Eternal One’s brilliance has dawned upon you. See truly; look carefully—darkness blankets the earth; people all over are cloaked in darkness. But God will rise and shine on you; the Eternal’s bright glory will shine on you, a light for all to see. Nations north and south, peoples east and west, will be drawn to your light, will find purpose and direction by your light. In the radiance of your rising, you will enlighten the leaders of nations. Don’t be shy; don’t be doubtful; lift up your eyes and look around. They have gathered all around you, eager to come and be close to you. And your children will come back to this land: your sons from the farthest places of wandering, and your daughters gently carried home. And when you see it, your face will glow; your heart will race and be filled with joy; For great ships will arrive with gifts from across the sea, and the wealth of nations will make their way to you.” – Isaiah 60:1-5 (VOICE)

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem in this passage to encourage them and as I read it, God is speaking to us too. He is saying that the time has come for us to RISE and shine because His radiant light is upon us. The world is dark and its darkness infects the people, but it does not have to infect us. We do not have to submit to the darkness around us, because His brilliant light is in us. So it is time for us to rise up and SHINE because that is how we beat back the darkness. When we surrender and allow His light to shine through us without limitations, without fear, without us trying to control the shine then all will see. Not only will they see, but they will find purpose and direction in the light coming from us because it will point them to Jesus Christ.

When I read these scriptures it is a command from the heart of God telling me to trust Him, to recognize the light, the hope of Christ shining in me and let it shine through me. The scripture says that we should not be shy or doubtful, but instead, we need to lift up our eyes and look around because when we do we will see that people are eager, they are hungry for the light. They are gathered around us and the gathering is not just about convenience (because we are in the same place or we are co-workers, or we go to church together, or we are neighbors, or that our children play together), it is divine. There is something in us that they need, they might not understand it, but it draws them nonetheless.

When I read these scriptures it is a command from the heart of God telling me to trust Him, to recognize the light, the hope of Christ shining in me and let it shine through me. The scripture says that we should not be shy or doubtful, but instead, we need to lift up our eyes and look around because when we do we will see that people are eager, they are hungry for the light. They are gathered around us and the gathering is not just about convenience ( because we are in the same place or we are co-workers, or we go to church together, or we are neighbors, or that our children play together), it is divine. There is something in us that they need, they might not understand it, but it draws them nonetheless. People are what makes nations great. So the wealth of nations, those we need to connect with to walk out the fullness of what He has called us to do will see our light brightly shining and make their way to us. So Lord help me to ARISE and SHINE as brightly as you intended. ❤