“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. and kings to the brightness of your rising.” – Isaiah 60:1-3  

This Scripture has been playing over and over again in my heart for several weeks. And I constantly hear “Arise!” everywhere lately in songs, Scripture, sermons, books, and articles. The Holy Spirit has been making it very clear that He has a message!

ISIS, Ebola, government corruption, attack on Christians, attack on marriage, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, job losses, sickness, death. We live in a world wrapped in spiritual darkness – war, corruption, greed, selfishness, sorrow, injustice, and hatred. And as advanced as it is in technology, our world is still hurting, broken, and lost as it struggles to find peace and love.

Do you realize we are at war? Some of you have been sensing a feeling of “urgency” and perhaps don’t know why. We are the Lord’s last days army and we have a job to do. He is counting on us to rise up and let His light shine through us and reveal Him everywhere we go through our thoughts, words and actions. This may sound cliché, but not to God.

Ephesians 5:14-17 says, “…’Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

What is it that God wants you to do? He wants you to walk in His authority and power without compromise. He wants you to let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. He wants you to be the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14-16).

If we only go to church and spend 1 to 2 hours in His Presence to be fed by our pastor, we’re basically dying of malnutrition. How can we expect God to take care of all our needs when we give Him 2 hours and the remaining 166 hours left in week to everything else? If we earnestly seek Him first and not carnal things, we can glorify Him even in the face of adversity. His light shines brightest through us who trust Him in the darkest days.

The Bible is full of His promises which He NEVER fails to deliver. Here are just a few:

  • “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
  • “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. . . . He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” – Psalm 112:4,7
  • “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
  • “Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” – Psalm 55:22
  • “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and every one. – Psalm 34:17-19
  • “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” – Psalm 91:4
  • “Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” – Isaiah 49:23
  • “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29
  • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – I John 1:9
  • “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5

2 Timothy 3:1-5 warns, “…in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

The world can seem pretty depressing if you are an unbeliever and matter of fact, it can shake the foundation of the believer as well. But that is not the truth and we cannot afford to be deceived. And if we are not clothed in the Word, than that is exactly what we risk…deception!

We cannot afford to have thoughts in our heads about us, that God does not have in His. What would happen in your life if you only thought about yourself the way God did? Rise up in the authority and power that you were created for, for such a time as this!