Weekly Devotionals - 6 March

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. “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. (Isaiah 60:1-5)
 
I have always been struck by these words of the Apostle Paul:

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Philippians 3:10)
 
We are living in a day of great contrasts. Paul spoke of desiring to know the glorious power of the Lord’s Resurrection, and then spoke of becoming acquainted with the fellowship of His sufferings. Could it not be one or the other? As we draw closer towards the end times, we see the eroding of the middle ground or “grey areas” of life. The above verses from Isaiah provide yet another example of such contrast – Great glory in contrast to gross darkness.
 
In today’s world, we see evil on full display. Through the years, the enemy has been successful in working behind the scenes and out of the sight of people. What has changed and why has evil become so blatant? What does this mean for the church for our day?
 
1. The Light is Shining

God has given Lighthouse Evangelism the mandate of “Being the Light of Christ Everywhere”. Do we appreciate the power of Light when it begins to shine into darkness? Jesus serves a similar reminder to His disciples.
 
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
 
For our Light to shine to others, it must first be shining within us. Do we welcome the Light of God to probe our inner man? The more we embrace the Light, the greater revelation we will have of our own internalized darkness. How do we respond when presented with this internal conflict? The prayer of the Psalmist needs to become our prayer.
 
“O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.” (Psalm 43:3)
 
2. Darkness being Exposed

Things hidden in darkness are never threatened in the absence of Light. Do we take our mandate seriously in seeking to be the Light of Christ everywhere? The vision for Lighthouse Evangelism is not an ordinary calling. The same is true for churches worldwide. The question is whether we are responding to the Lord’s call to walk in the Light as He is in the Light (1 John 1:7). If we desire His truth and life, we can be assured that we will be led into God’s Holy Presence. It must begin within us (church) before the Light of God can manifest its fullness in our fallen world.
 
3. People being drawn to the Light

Have you noticed the fruits of God’s manifest Light shining forth in the midst of the darkness in Isaiah 60? There will be multitudes of unbelievers that will be drawn to the Glorious Gospel Light. Evil and darkness will have to give way to the unquenchable Glory of God shining forth. There will be great joy and unity, as well as an abundance of people who will come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (vs 5).
 
The news of the Asbury revival in the state of Kentucky is but one reminder of what is on the horizon. Now, more than ever, it is time for Lighthouse Evangelism to embrace its vision in being the Light of Christ Everywhere. In this defining moment of church history, will you allow His Light to shine in and through you? It is time to Arise!