I've had to go back through all of the studies I've written since day one (August 4, 1998) and edit and retitle them for future projects. Today I came across the one which gave me the idea of calling this devotional "Rise and Shine" to begin with. I've decided to share it with you all since it was originally sent only to the ladies of our church. Turn with me if you would to Isaiah 60 and let's read vs. 1 & 2 together....
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."
Do you know the world has certain "shines" that they consider important? There is the floor shine that we housewives all strive for (or used to!), proving us to be excellent housekeepers. There is that wonderful spring cleaning window shine that we love to see after the gloom of winter. There is the professional polished look of a shoe shine that our husbands like when facing the world on a daily basis in the workplace. There is the shine of a newly washed and waxed car which is supposed to make you the envy of all those who pass by your vehicle. There is the magnetism of a shiny penny in the eyes of a little child who discovers it. There is the shine of a certain stone in the sunlight which causes a young boy at play to believe he has struck gold. There is the much dreaded oily-skin shine that teens develop, a shine which older women hope will stay and lubricate those impending wrinkles....
But what about that "spiritual shining" referred to in our text today? Where is the importance of that in our lives? Is the shining of the glory of the Lord seen upon you each day? You know ladies, so often we rise up without any purpose in mind at all other than to struggle with our eyelids wanting to shut again! Are you careless about when you get up each day? First of all, we must purpose in our hearts to go to bed at a decent hour so that we can rise at a decent hour and spend some time with the Lord, amen? How many times have you been late for this divine appointment - maybe even missed it altogether because of too much sleep! Ladies, without a rising, there can be no shining....
Genesis 19:2, "And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night."
Isaiah 32:9, "Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech."
Our purpose for rising early ought to be to hear from our heavenly Father, and to shine for Jesus Christ throughout the day! This world is a dark place and needs the shining light of godly Christians, amen? Just as there are many elements that dull the shininess of those worldly things we mentioned earlier, there is also something that dulls our spiritual shine. It is called worry! Rather than rising early to spend time with the Lord, some of us rise only to worry, and ladies, it hinders the glory of the Lord from shining forth from within us....
Psalm 127:2, ""It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
You see, in this verse above, the psalmist is not counseling us against rising up early, he is trying to teach us that nothing is accomplished for God by rising early or staying up late simply to fret. Nobody that's been up all night worrying shines the next day! Not only does the Lord give us sleep - the ability to rest in Him, He also gives us peace and shelter in the time of storm so that His glory can still be seen upon us! You aren't wasting your time with worry and dulling God's glory in your life are you dear lady?? Get to bed - get the rest He wants to give you, and then get up and praise the Lord for sweet sleep!!
Psalm 4:8, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."
No more fears, no more worries for the child of God.... But not so for the world.... Do you know what the world's biggest worry ought to be? Whether or not they will go to heaven or hell! Praise the Lord that Jesus rose from the dead and we can be saved! There was a "rising" in our Savior's life and we are the ones who benefit from it! If Jesus has risen in our hearts, we CAN shine and make a difference in the lives of others just as He did....
2 Cor. 4:6, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Salvation is found in the face of Jesus Christ - have you looked into such a loving face today, are you truly saved dear lady? Has there been the resurrection of a new life in Christ within your soul? For those of us who are saved, our spiritual alarm clocks need to be set to seek the Lord's face daily, amen?
1 Chronicles 22:19, "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore...."
So often we are guilty of thinking our circumstances need turning around, but ladies, it's our character that needs turning around! Our heart and soul needs to be set to seek after God so that we may rise and shine for His glory. Just as the peace of God is to be shared, so is the light which regenerates the soul is to be reflected to others. Have you purposed to reflect that which you claim shines within you?? If our countenance were what it should be, I wonder if we would be able to lead more to Christ than we do! Did you know that there is one shine that the world puts no emphasis on, but which God loves to see? It is what I will call the "soul-winner's shine"....
Daniel 12:3, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
What a great verse, amen? They that turn many to righteousness shine brightly, sending forth a glow that burns for all of eternity! Quick; go look in the mirror of God's Word and see if you have the soul-winner's shine! If not, make that a matter of obedience today, turn your heart toward seeking the Lord AND lost souls, and let His glory be seen upon you! Don't hide His light....
2 Cor. 4:3, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost..."
Ladies, the Lord wouldn't command us to 'arise' if He weren't also going to give us the ability to stand up for Him! You CAN shine because He has shined His salvation upon you! Gross darkness is upon the people in this world - brighten the corner where you are, amen?
Mt. 13:43 - shine because your future is bright!
Daniel 9:17 - shine because the sanctuary is dead
John 1:5 - shine because of darkness
Rev. 1:16 - shine from the strength of the Word
1 Jn. 2:8 - shine because you are saved!
Phil. 2:15 - shine because this world is perverse
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
