Thurs.’s Devo - Arise and Shine!

Read: Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-17 In the time when Jerusalem was not honoring God, God had Isaiah prophecy their glorious future. In the midst of their darkest time, God would bring His light and it would be so bright that might kings would come to see it. God would bring their sons and daughters home to them. Their sorrow would be taken away and joy would replace it. Business would once again thrive in the streets of Jerusalem. They would offer sacrifices that God would accept. All the exiles would return. They would bring gold and silver with them. Foreigners would rebuild their cities and the wealth of nations would come to them. Violence, desolation and destruction of war would end and be replaced with joy and singing. Their light would not just be the sun and the moon. It would pail in comparison to the light that the Lord would shine through them. The people would be righteous and possess the land. Chapter 61 is a Messianic prophecy. It is the very words that Jesus read from his synagogue in his home town found in Luke 4:18. Jesus stopped before he got to the part that said, “the vengeance of the Lord,” because it wasn’t time for that. God would restore Jerusalem to be a place of worship, prosperity and righteousness. Isaiah lived in a time when justice was perverted and there were no good leaders. God spoke of a time of complete reversal where justice and righteousness would rule. Her title would change from “The Forsaken City” to “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God..” God would rejoice over her as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Jerusalem is a picture of his Church globally. This is how God feels about his Church and his promise to restore her to her complete beauty before he comes for her. Paul admonished the Philippians to walk in a way that was worthy of the Good News. They were not to be intimidated by their enemies. Their confidence in the Lord would be a sign to the unbeliever that they would one day be destroyed if they don’t repent. Be humble and consider one another’s needs. Jesus didn’t use his position with God to gloat over man but to the humble position as a slave to humanity, dying a criminal’s death for our sins. God exalted him in heaven and gave him the name above all names that by it we might all be saved. One day everyone will bow to the name of Christ. Every tongue will proclaim his name. Last of all, Paul told them to do everything without complaining or arguing. He wanted them to receive the reward of a life well lived. Lord, we want to receive the reward of a life well lived also. May all glory and honor go to You who are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.