Wednesday, January 17, 2018

ARISE! SHINE!

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 59-60

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Here is a panorama of the southern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. In the distance you can see the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem seems to be the focal point of the war between God and all the forces who oppose Him. Isaiah writes of a time when they “Shall call your walls Salvation and your gates praise!” (Isaiah 60:18).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Isaiah 59:1-2, 60:5a

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,

That it cannot save;

Nor His ear heavy,

That it cannot hear.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God;

And your sins have hidden His face from you,

So that He will not hear.

…Then you shall see and become radiant,

And your heart shall swell with joy…

 

Sin is a wall which keeps God out and destroys us from within. When the people of Jerusalem were without hope, except for Isaiah and a remnant who cried out to God for Salvation, God Himself took the initiative. The great “Intercessor,” the One to whom Isaiah refers in dozens of personal pronouns throughout his book, appears. “His own arm brought Salvation for Him” (59:16). The Lord signed into the law of the universe a covenant (He cannot break His covenant!). What Hope! Isaiah 59:21 is one of incurable optimism. God has put His Spirit upon His people and put His Word in their mouths from generation to generation, and this promise includes us almost 3,000 years later, “from this time and forevermore!!!”

Chapter 60 begins with a direct command from God! “Arise, Shine; for your light has come!” Jesus, the Messiah (Christ), has dispelled the darkness and has come as “The Light of the world.” Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life” (John 8:12). What makes us “Shine!” is, as the moon reflects the sun, spending time in Jesus’ Presence, in His Word and in prayer, and we cannot help but “Shine!” Most of us are “Gentiles.” Isaiah 60:3 is an encouragement to us all. Isaiah 60:5 is the result, “Then you shall see and become radiant, and your hearts will swell with joy!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Swell my heart with Your joy, Lord, I pray! Make my heart big enough for people everywhere. May Your Spirit be upon me in a greater and greater way, and may Your Words not depart from my mouth. I ask these mercies in the Name of “the Light of the world,” Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve read ahead into Isaiah 61. I simply couldn’t resist reading again the very words which Jesus read in His introduction of His Light, as it burst forth in His public ministry (Luke 4:16-21). But I’m getting ahead of myself. The key verse says, “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save!” I’m reminded of a TV series I hosted back in the early 1970s which was sponsored by approximately 15,000 “Assemblies of God” churches in the USA. The communications director suggested that the average person watching would not understand the word “saved.” However, after the first show where I interviewed a medical doctor whose life had been in absolute shambles, and for whom the Lord had done an amazing transformation, I used the word “saved.” Everyone understood what this great word meant. A lifeguard understands exactly what it means when someone is going under and cries out “Save me!” Our readings in Isaiah show a world going under for perhaps the last time, but God’s long, long arm reaches out to humanity and we are saved! The Scripture says, “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved” (Read Romans 10:8-15). I ask every reader, “Have you been saved?” If not, or if you are not sure, read carefully those words from God through the Apostle Paul and call out to the Lord, “Save me, O Lord!” Then call the 100 Huntley Street prayer line toll free at 1-866-273-4444, and ask them for help in understanding how we can know we are saved.

Yours with determination to “ARISE” and to “SHINE” during this new day and every day,

David

9 thoughts on “Wednesday, January 17, 2018

  1. This time of year is difficult. It can be hard to get out of bed and be encouraged, looking outside at the mount of snow, ever down pouring, But reading the bible and blog, this morning, is ever enriching and so enlightening, from Isaiah’s prophetic scripture to David’s prayer and message. Our faith, indeed, claims our victory in Jesus! We are saved through His shed blood and everlasting love for us! He is the radiant Light of our lives, now and forevermore! We claim Him with the greatest reverence thanksgiving and praise! In Jesus’ almighty Name–amen, amen and amen! Praying for the safety and warmth of all saints.

    “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. John 12:36 NIV

    CLEANSED / NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD / PRAISE BREAK (feat Charity Gayle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqnT9JRm8dA

  2. Wow, this blog and reply Beverlee got me shouting, praising and dancing. Yes, Arise, Shine, feeling revived and a revival coming. Be Blessed saints, Amen. Posted to my fb page. Thanks!

    • Amen to you and Beverly
      Wow, I feel blessed with today’s reading, even though it’s still winter outside
      Bless your day all bloggers, I read them all all the time and am lifted
      By them after reading these daily devotions
      Thanks everyone!
      ❤️Lois

  3. My pray in agreement with David “Swell my heart with You Joy Lord!!

    David’s comments and encouragement much appreciated.

    God Bless you Ron and Ann and Reynold!!

  4. pray for a a gal who just lost her husband; her name is Lucille, I met them both in a Prayer Study Bible Group last Nov….she has family around but she is scared and unsure of everything….I was glad that I met them both, I found them to be good encouragers for me..
    yes time of the year is very interesting for me…I go to bed at 4 a.m. and wake up at about 2-3 p.m. this is the worst month for Seasonal Affected Disorder because it is dark when I go to bed and dark when I wake up….it started around the 20th of Dec and will begin to fade away about Jan 29, 30th…there will be a bit more light each day…
    I am very happy that I some people talking about mental illness and it`s such a relief when they realize that they inherited this illness and they can find some coping skills but more important is to have someone to talk about it…..
    there are 40 people in church who deal with this, 2 families have began to talk with me and 3 families from the pool activities…I am very thankful, that is what we need is to be able to talk with others in safe environment…..

    God bless all who share on this blog…

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