Freedom Verse of the Day Isaiah 60:1 (ESV)
Arise, Shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Everyone loves the underdog, come-back story. It gives us hope that no matter the odds there is always a chance for us. Today’s freedom verse is all about God’s come-back story for his people.
The people of Jerusalem, otherwise known as Zion, were in a deeply, depressed state of mind. They were surrounded by darkness and longing for change. Just a few short verses away from Isaiah 60:1, this is what the people of God were saying:
We look for light but find only darkness, we look for bright skies but walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes … We moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it never comes. We look for rescue, but it is far away from us (Isaiah 59:9-11, NLT).
They were so deep in the darkness that their eyes couldn’t see a way out. But, then suddenly, moved with compassion for his people their Redeemer calls out to them.
Have you ever been there? Feeling consumed by the circumstances you found yourself in. I remember multiple occasion where I cried out to God saying, “I just don’t know if I can do it again, Lord. I want off this roller coaster.”
When the roller-coaster of life has descended deep into the valley and we find ourselves clenching the bar in front of us and experiencing the pressure of its force on every muscle, we need to remember the truth in Isaiah 60. It is all about the “Rising from the ashes” moments we all long for. It is the promise of a new day—new beginning! It is a reminder that we are never too far gone to be a light for Him. No matter the circumstance, if we trust in the light that has risen upon us, we can arise and shine once again.
A Deeper Look
This short verse is jam-packed with power and goodness. There are three words or phrases I want to highlight.
The first is “Arise”. Arise means to come into being, to originate from a source, emerge, or to get to one’s feet. Our source is God’s light—His Presence. We emerge from his light that shines upon us and we are lifted to our feet.
The second word “Shine” means: of the Sun, to give out a bright light—especially from reflected light, to beam, radiate, and emit rays of light. Again, we shine because we are a reflection of His light that has risen upon us. We are not light without him, but with him, we become radiate-beams of unstoppable light!
The third phrase points to the source of our rescue—”the glory of the Lord”. This represents God’s active presence among us and refers to his splendor, abundance, greatness, supreme strength, power, and light.
Today’s Application
God’s people in Isaiah 59 were focused in the wrong direction. We do it too. We tell ourselves stories that we come to believe as our truth. Have we become too focused on the wreckage behind, replaying in our minds the damage we’ve experienced in the past? Or will we learn instead to focus on the truth that everything the sun (Son) touches becomes light and is empowered to do as he did?
If we take our cues from nature we find that the sun always rises from complete darkness and touches everything with its light. Nothing is beyond its reach or singled out as unworthy! You, my dear, no matter how much darkness you feel surrounds you, are being called upon by the God of the universe to arise. He, who divinely summons you, knows you and everything you’ve walked through and when he looks at you all he sees is the unbelievable beauty of the light that is within you!
The promise tucked-away in this verse eases our fears of rejection. His glory that rises upon us isn’t something that might happen if we get our act together. No, it says it has already happened regardless of the state we are in! His Presence, His Power, His Light, His Strength and His Greatness has already risen upon us. Bishop T.D. Jakes says, “The access is always open … But the response is limited.” Some choose not to believe that the light was meant for them. Others, however, run with it with all their might.
Friends, this call to arise from God wasn’t because his people finally reached the mark. He spoke into their heart from a place of complete mess, brokenness, and despair. Our problem is that we keep looking at the ashes we came from and it causes us not to believe in the light that is within us and has risen upon us. We have to begin to live as if we believe that the light of the world has taken over our soul and is empowering everything we do!
The question isn’t whether or not we are light. The question is whether or not we believe in the power of the light that has risen upon us. When we are touched by God’s light, we automatically become light!
Now is YOUR TIME! Arise and Shine, for the light of the world has risen upon you and made you His light-bearer to the world.
Praise, Prayer, and Declaration
Thank you, Lord, that the question has been settled. We are light! No matter the path we’ve taken, or what our past contains nothing can stop your light from shining upon us and making us pure light to bless the world around us. May we be bold world-changers for you, living as people who believe in the power that lives within us!
Be Bold ~ Be a Light!