MEMORISE:

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1.

READ: Isaiah 60:1-5.

1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

2 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.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

4 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.

5 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.

MESSAGE:

The memory verse for today enjoins us to arise and shine because our light has come. What or who is this light? Here is the answer:

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is the light that brings the glory of the Lord to every situation. The moment the glory departed from Adam and Eve, they realized that they were naked. Adam said: “…. I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10). However, when God decided to rescue man from this shameful state, He sent His Son- the Light, to the world.

In our Bible reading of today, we are commanded to arise and at the same time, shine. Why? It is because God made up His mind to lighten the world that had been covered by darkness. It is also because the glory of the Lord has come upon the world. What or who is this glory of the Lord? Jesus Christ the Son of God is the glory of the Lord. I don’t know how deep you may have gone into darkness through sinful habits or associations; however, I have good news for you: your light has come! All you have to do to partake of this light is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Matthew 11:28 says “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

You can rest assured that if you let the Light in, your life, which may have been plagued with all that darkness represents, shall be lightened up. Darkness is represented by sin, sickness, poverty, sorrow, failure and bondage, whereas light represents righteousness, divine health, prosperity, joy breakthrough and freedom.

Many of us can testify that there is darkness in this world. The darkness we are talking about is not the absence of electricity, but rather, spiritual darkness, according to Ephesians 6:12.

Are you still in darkness? If the answer is yes, why hasn’t your own light come?

It may be that you have not embraced the Light. Accept Jesus the Light into your life today and darkness will no longer be able to comprehend or overcome you, according to John 1:5.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, let the light of Your Son Jesus Christ shine upon me today. Let Your glory be greatly evident in my life, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 29-30.

HYMN 10:   I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY.

1. I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

o Refrain:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

3. I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

4. I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”