Experiencing God's Presence #291

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.

Isaiah 60:1-3, NIV

First Jesus arises and shines on us. Then He arises and shines within us. Finally, He arises and shines through us. These words of God through Isaiah speak glory over Jerusalem and, by extension, over all whom the Lord calls His own. We needed a great light, and Jesus came to us. Now people dwelling in “thick darkness” need a great light, and Jesus comes to them—through us. And nations and kings will come to that light in the same way the world wakes up to each new day.

The Lord speaks to us about the world: “I’ve called you to arise and shine because My glory is coming upon you. You have received Me as a rising sun in your life; now become a rising sun to others. You can introduce and impart My Presence to others. When people really see Me in you—when you have immersed and saturated yourself in Me—they are drawn to Me. Even those who are hostile to My Presence in you are drawn to Me, but they resist and run because they are afraid to change. But those who are honest and hungry are drawn openly, without resistance, just like they were drawn to Me when I was with you in the flesh. Now they are attracted to the Me who is in you.

“Know that I rise up within you for your sake and for the sake of others. Believe that I have glory to reveal through you. And live in a way that lets Me shine on others.”

Jesus, I want You to shine in me. I don’t know how that happens, but I’m trusting You to cover me in Your glory and draw others to You through me.

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