Isaiah 60:1–3: “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.”

September 23rd, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

If we have heard it once, we have heard it a thousand times from our own mothers: “Rise and shine!” Many mothers still use this phrase to get their kids out of bed in the morning, probably not even knowing that it’s Scriptural. It is actually a Hebrew idiom encouraging people to stand up straight rather than be bent over with difficulties. God was calling His people to stand up, or get up, from where they were struggling and move on. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our heart must be allowed access to our face, posture, and attitude each day. By calling believers to arise and shine, God is reminding us that we have the ability to shine in this dark world because of His indwelling Spirit.

In Scripture the Hebrew word for shine is often used to describe light. So when we read, “The Gentiles shall come to your light,” we can’t help but think of the Magi as they were quite literally drawn to Jesus by the light of the Star of Bethlehem. And as we enter into the very last of the “Last Days,” we are seeing Gentiles, from all over the earth, coming to Jesus at an ever-increasing rate. So we must diligently heed the charge Jesus gave us:

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:14–16)

Among the ancient Greeks, the runner who won the Olympic race was not the man who crossed the line in the shortest time, but the man who crossed it in the shortest time with his torch still burning. We must guard against becoming so busy with life’s activities that we are in danger of allowing the torch of our spiritual life to be extinguished.

“LORD, we desire to run all the way with the flame of our torch remaining lit for You.”