Light Day 21: Isaiah 60:1-11

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.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.

If anything encompasses the beauty and glory of the rising of Jesus Christ, our Sun of Righteousness, it must be this passage. It’s a whisper of hope, a message of transformation from gross darkness to glorious light.

Darkness shall cover the earth and the people. Thick blackness of night takes over.

But.

Everything is contained in that one word.

But the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee!

The glorious beauty of the dawning light breaks forth, and everything changes. What was once darkness is now light. What was once impossible to see is now radiant. Where we once walked in darkness, we swarm to the light – all of us, all at once, some slowly, some quickly. The Gentiles shall come to the light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up your eyes and see how the entire word is swarming to the Light! Verses 4-11 describe the variety of people flocking to the light. Reread the verses slowly, and visualize the descriptions given. Picture the people of all types streaming towards the light – and the joy, victory, and beauty therein.

Truly this is light and happiness, joy and victory!

Therefore let us arise and shine out Christ in us, because our light is come. God through Jesus has entered the world of mankind, changing its course forever. He has died, taking upon Himself all that has caused the world to go wrong for thousands of years. And He is risen – risen forever, and we with Him. We are forever free from sin and darkness!

Are you living in this risen life of Christ? Are you abiding and thrilling in His light that has entered your life? Does your attitude today reflect the truth that Christ is risen and lives as Light in you?