“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
(Isaiah 60:1-3 NKJV)
The first verse is says to Arise. Arise means to get up or to stand. Here’s what it means to me. It means to get a move on, get with the program, Muevete, Or in other words to get out of the ordinary and stop doing business as usual. It’s time to Arise and Shine.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
(Galatians 2:20 NKJV)
The level and maturity we’re at in our Christian walk should speak for itself. I am reminded of a light bulbs purpose. It’s purpose is simply to shine. Jesus said “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”
(Luke 11:33 NIV).
When I read that scripture I think “Don’t be a burned out light bulb”
In verse 2 it says for the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you. I’m reminded of this scripture “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
(1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV) God has called us to reach those that remain in darkness.
In verse 3 it says “The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
As we lift up the name of Jesus He will draw all men unto Him. In Acts is says “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
(Acts 26:18 NIV)
Let’s Rise and Shine. Be alive, positive, persistent and consistent. Let’s become contagious, it all begins by allowing God to be take control of our lives.
Amen, to God be the Glory.
Pastor Joe Williams
