Arise, shine, for your light has come!
The glory of ADONAI [the LORD] has risen on you. Isaiah 60:1, TLV
Searching for the Light in this World? Shabbat Shalom! Arise! Shine! Today’s verse leads us into one of the most profound chapters of prophesies. Some have come to be, others are still to come — which is the way of prophesies until the end of time.
Nations will come to your light,
kings to the brilliance of your rising. (vs. 3, TLV)
Here is another prophesy about the Gentiles—non-Jewish people—coming to faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We know they will be drawn by the light of the followers of Jesus — the disciples throughout the centuries all the way up to the people who sowed into us. Then, hopefully, has continued with us shining our light as followers of our Savior.
For behold, darkness covers the earth,
and deep darkness the peoples.
But ADONAI [the LORD] will arise upon you,
and His glory will appear over you. (vs. 2, TLV)
Darkness Covers the Earth?
We know that darkness has covered the earth. Are we searching for some spark of light, or is the Light already in us? Too often, I think, we want our Father to dive in and destroy the darkness. What if He has already equipped us to battle for our territory.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, TLV)
Rather than complaining and pointing fingers at the “culprits,” why not battle along with the Heavenly Hosts. Do our part and they will do theirs. How? With the heavenly equipment of Ephesians 6, yes, but more than that! Arise and shine! The glory of the LORD has risen upon us!
Blind the enemy of our souls — all souls with the Light of the LORD. If the enemy is blinded, then the poor souls trapped by the enemy can be drawn to our Father’s Light — His Son.
Yes, we’ll need to be vigilant. Wearing our armor because, well, that’s just good sense. But, my friends, the glory of the LORD has risen upon us! Shine!
Think More About It
How do you shine? Where do you shine?
Until tomorrow—and forever—arise and shine, my friend!
Praying for Israel
But if Messiah is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Ruach [Spirit] of the One who raised Yeshua from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Messiah Yeshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Ruach who dwells in you.
So then, brothers and sisters, we do not owe anything to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. Romans 8:10-12, TLV
“We do not owe anything to the flesh …” I love this. Whether we live in the line of fire as my friends and family in Israel or safe in our comfortable homes, we need to remember that we have no control over the circumstances around us. Today, as we pray for Israel, let’s pray for the salvation of those who do not know the atonement and redemption of their Messiah. Let’s pray for those saints who diligently, boldly, and in love share the Good News as though that soul’s life depends upon it. Because, in all likelihood, it does. God bless you and Shabbat Shalom!