DAY 197 – ARISE AND SHINE

By Pastor Wilberforce Bezudde

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 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.” (Isaiah 60:1-2)

The Hebrew word for “ARISE” is ‘QUM’, which appears to be so rich. It means; to become powerful, come on the scene, to maintain oneself in a certain position, to be established, to take a stand, to be fixed in a position or in a certain direction.

The Hebrew word for “SHINE” is ‘ORE’, which appears to also be so rich in meaning. It means; to become light, enlightened, illuminated, to put one’s face or eyes in the light. The prophet saw the light and prophesied saying, ‘change your position and direction, fix your eyes on the light that has come.’

In John 8:12, Jesus describes Himself as the light. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Whoever looks in this light, receives the light of life, and becomes enlightened. We can no longer walk in darkness and confusion.

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus describes us as the light of the world; “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

This is very true; when we look into the light and become illuminated, we illuminate our world. Oh, I feel like jumping out of seat as I write this. The world should look at us and see the light of life. As Jesus walked on this earth; so, we walk. As Jesus spoke on this earth; so, we speak. As Jesus did wonders on this earth; so, we do them, even greater than He did.

1 John 4:17 describes our presence on this earth; “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world”. Jesus is Lord!

Today’s Confession
My eyes have seen the light. I am illuminated to illuminate my world. In me there dwells the light of life. I have no darkness in me, for this light fills my inmost being. The world will look at me and see Jesus on earth. As Jesus is, so am I in this world. Amen!