"Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60:3 NIV
God created the dark and the light and found both to be good. He did this so our days would be divided, and we would have time to rest and time to work. We do not disparage darkness. It is God’s wonderful gift, but the things that happen in the metaphysical darkness of sin we hate. In the light, we see those things once hidden by the darkness. In the brightness of dawn, we are reminded of Christ’s goodness and the light of salvation.
In this verse, Isaiah talks prophetically of both a time when Israel returns from exile and the coming Jesus. In verses 1-2, he calls out to the people of Israel, “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."
The same invitation is made to us today. We are to be the light of Christ in the world. Through us, Christ’s light shines, so others are drawn out of the darkness. The nations are not indistinct entities but groups of people like you and me. Our leaders are nothing more than flesh, blood, and soul.
In Romans 10:14, Paul reiterates the work of us as disciples, “'How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
As Israel awaited release from exile and the Messiah’s coming, we today await Christ’s second coming. On that day, His light will be supreme over every darkness. All people can not help but acknowledge the true ruler of all nations. Until that day, we must be His light into this world.
God, we give you thanks for the light of your salvation. Until the second coming of Jesus, please help us to be your light in this world. Through the Holy Spirit at work within us, may we shine brightly in the darkness, drawing others to you. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
How can you let your light shine today?
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
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