Shine!
Opening Prayer
Lord, in this life I experience mistreatment, lack, and disappointment. Show me that You have greater things for me.
Read Isaiah 60:1-14
[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. [2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. [3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. [4] “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. [5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. [6] Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. [7] All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple. [8] “Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests? [9] Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor. [10] “Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. [11] Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations- their kings led in triumphal procession. [12] For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. [13] “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet. [14] The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How many different blessings for Zion can you find here?I remember feeling outraged one time when my son was bullied at school. It was, thankfully, a relatively minor incident that was well-handled by the teachers and didn’t recur. Babylon was a worse bully. Another prophet, Habakkuk, would describe the Babylonians as a “ruthless and impetuous people…whose own strength is their god” (Hab. 1:6,11). Their fierce behavior reduced their weaker neighbors to servitude. These crushed peoples must have felt that “thick darkness” had descended upon them with the arrival of the Babylonians (2). But see what good news God has to tell his people. Light is coming (1)! Mount Zion, for so long forgotten, will again be the centerpiece of God’s plans for the world. No nation will be excluded (5-7). Indeed, foreigners will actively participate in this remarkable turnaround (10). The people had acted shamefully to anger God, and the consequences were dire. But his heart of love for them never changed–and it still doesn’t!
Apply
What circumstances do you desire God to turn around in your life?
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to remember that You hate it when I sin. Thank You for being compassionate toward me.
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