Arise and Shine!

         “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1 AMP)! Only in Christ can a man live a totally new life despite his past experiences or present circumstances. When Jesus Christ truly has His way in the life of such an individual, He brings light to every area that was once dominated by darkness. Fear gives way to faith; depression gives way to joy; bitterness gives way to forgiveness; uncleanness gives way to purity; and lust gives way to love. Though all your challenges may not disappear overnight, yet in the midst of them, you are empowered by His light to become all that God has created you to be.  Even though we live in perilous times when deep darkness covers the people, their hearts are failing for fear, and the love of many is waxing cold; yet His unchanging word to His children remains ‘arise and shine’. Although a written command, it is no less powerful as the verbal command He gave when He commanded the prevailing darkness of Genesis 1:1-2 to give way. The response of darkness was given in John 1:4 - “…and the darkness comprehended it not”.  

Remember God is Spirit, so when He gives the command to arise and shine in the midst of deep darkness, He is not talking about physical light, but the light that emanates from the attributes and character of Christ within you as His child. As we saw in Genesis 1:1-2, the day received the light of Christ, so you must receive His life so that you will become the carrier of that true light to a dark and dying world. However, to be effective in this assignment, you must allow the light to penetrate every part of your heart and mind – this light is His word: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord; I will put My laws on their hearts and I will write them on their minds” (Hebrews 10:16); then and only then will you be able to shine for others to see and turn to God. When you look at God’s word you would see people who had passed through different challenges: many where surrounded by painful circumstances, both physically and spiritually but they refused to give up on hope, they would not let go of their faith in God, and they refused to be embittered by their hardships. Now the light of their testimony is shining even to this present generation. Their victories indeed proved that God is rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). There are many in our time, that, because of their challenges has submitted to darkness, others have totally given up on life. Beloved time is short; the intensity of the darkness is increasing by the hour. Scripture puts it this way “…evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). However, for as many that desire the Lord: “the Lord shall rise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:2b).  Glory be to God! Are you down on the floor of frustration and covered with the dark blanket of depression? Get up from the floor and throw off the blanket, and get ready because only through your testimony and walk with God will many more turn to Him. Take your place in God and take your stand again on His infallible word, then watch the darkness that has threatened you give way to the glory of God. God bless you.