JULY 10, 2025
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
We continue today in our series Light for the Journey with the teaching of Isaiah 60. Some of you will recognize these verses as an Advent/Christmas reading, that’s correct, yet God’s word speaks in all seasons.
Isaiah 60:1–3 were first spoken to a people in exile, God’s people were weary and displaced, their city in ruins, their hope shaky and wavering. They were living in dark period. Now, the darkness they knew wasn’t just physical, it was spiritual, emotional, cultural. Put yourself there, weary and displaced, and your hope shaky and wavering. Have you had a season in your life when you felt like that? It is into this kind of darkness that the Prophet Isaiah announces a bold, hope-filled command: “Arise, shine, for your light has come!”
Notice it is not “Light is coming.” But: “It’s here.”
Even while their world was still enveloped in thick darkness, Isaiah declares that something has shifted. God’s glory is already breaking in, already rising upon His people. This is important, the teaching here is not about waiting for perfect circumstances or conditions. It’s about recognizing that, in the midst of the world’s darkness, God is already shining. God's light doesn't wait for the world to change—His light creates change. Do you hear that? Do see that? How have you seen God's light show up in your own times of darkness?
This Bible passage points prophetically to Jesus, the Light of the World, (there is the Advent theme) and also, we should not miss this, Isaiah 60 also directs us to the church’s calling. The Community of Jesus are not meant to be inactive recipients of light. The Community of Jesus is meant to arise and reflect that light to others.
If the world ever feels heavy and dark to you, you're not alone, we have all been there. But Scripture assures us: the darker the backdrop, the more clearly the light shines. The invitation today is not to retreat or despair, but to rise. God's glory is rising over you.
I wonder, where do you see “thick darkness” in your world right now, personally, culturally, or globally?
What would it look like for you to arise and shine in that place?
Maybe it’s a word of encouragement.
Maybe it’s a bold stand for justice.
Maybe it’s a quiet act of compassion.
Ask God to show you how His light is already rising in your life, and then let us reflect it.
Let's Pray
God of glory,
Thank You that Your light breaks into the deepest darkness.
Thank You that even when the world feels heavy, You are still rising.
Help me to arise, not in my strength, but in Your light.
Let my life shine with Your hope, Your truth, and Your grace.
Use me as a reflection of Your glory today.
Amen.
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