Thursday, August 1, 2013
Isaiah 60:2 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.
ARISE AND SHINE (4)
That is a very striking picture. Did you catch the imagery in this verse? Picture it in your mind. The world is in the dark--utter darkness! People are lost and groping around trying to find their way. "But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you." There is darkness everywhere except over you. You are in the bright and glorious light.
What effect do you suppose that would have on those who are in the dark? Wouldn't they be drawn to you and want to be around you and near you? Wouldn't they want to share your light and find out why you have light and how they could get that light?
This situation is real in a spiritual sense. People are wandering around in the dark not knowing where they are going; not seeing the cliff they are going to fall off. People are longing for some meaning and purpose in their life. They are hungering for spiritual fulfillment. But you have the Light of the world. You see and know where you are going and how to get there, for Jesus is "The way the truth and the life."
When I was young, I could understand why I had to get up on school days, but my mom would get us up on Saturday mornings too. Why should I get up on Saturday morning? Can't I have one day to sleep in? If I had complained, my mom would have said something like, "Time's a wasting, we've got a lot to do today!"
If we ask God, why should my life shine every day? Can't I have a day off, when I can just mope around and be crabby? Do I have to be nice and kind ALL THE TIME? God answers, "Time's a wasting, we've got a lot to do." As Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).
God wants to draw all people to Himself. He wants people everywhere to come to know His love and forgiveness. He wants "all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). He uses you to let His glory and grace be seen. So Arise, shine, let the glory of God's grace be seen in your life. Think about how your actions and words can show forth the glory of God and when it catches people's attention, "Always be ready to give an answer ... a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).
