Yesterday's Bible Study |
In this verse from Isaiah, the Lord tells the people of Israel to arise and shine because light has come and the glory of the Lord is upon them. The "light" refers to the Gospel--the good news that Jesus has come to make it possible for people all over the world to have a relationship with the Lord. Today, we will consider what it means to live in the glory of the Lord.
What does it mean to live in the glory of the Lord? It means we recognize the grace of the Gospel. We remember the love that Jesus has shown us, and allow that love to change the way we treat other people and ourselves. Instead of feeling like we have to fight for significance, we can rest in the truth that we are cherished by God more than we could ever understand. This gives us the freedom to enjoy our lives and walk with the Lord.
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This verse includes a command: "arise" and "shine." The Gospel changes the way that we approach our lives. Our days are no longer just drudgery or filled with ordinary tasks. They become opportunities to express our love for the Lord through doing good work, loving other people, and serving Him with gladness. The Gospel transforms the way we approach our lives because they are no longer about ourselves and what we want, but instead about the Lord. We rise and shine unto Him … and that makes all the difference.
This does not mean, of course, that we'll never have a tough day or feel grumpy or oversleep. Christianity is not about being "happy" all the time, but rather, having joy in the sacrificial love of Jesus as we become like Him each day.
When we find ourselves struggling in the Lord, we can use this verse as a way to pray. We can ask the Lord to help us truly arise in Him, helping us experience His glory. He will meet us right where we are, and, when we call out to Him, He will help us be obedient to what He has called us to do.
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