Arise and Shine
01/06/2026
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
(Isaiah 60:1, NIV)
There are moments when life feels dim. When circumstances press in, discouragement clouds vision, and it’s tempting to stay seated in the shadows. Isaiah speaks into that kind of moment. God doesn’t whisper, “Wait a little longer.” He declares, “Arise.” Stand up. Lift your eyes. Take your place. Why? Because the light you need is not something you have to manufacture, it has already come.
This verse was spoken to a people who knew exile and loss. They were rebuilding, still surrounded by rubble and reminders of what once was. Yet God calls them to rise before everything looks restored. The command isn’t based on how bright the surroundings are, but on where the light comes from. “The glory of the Lord rises upon you.” God’s presence is the source. His glory is the fuel.
Think about the morning sky. Before the sun fully crests the horizon, the sky begins to change. Darkness doesn’t disappear all at once, but it no longer has the final word. That’s how God’s light works in us. When His glory rises upon you, you carry hope into places still waking up. You don’t just wait for light you reflect it.
Today’s verse is also deeply personal. God isn’t only addressing a nation; He’s speaking to His people. When you’ve been bent under disappointment, grief, or weariness, the invitation remains: arise. When fear tells you to stay hidden, God says, shine. Not with your own strength, but with the light of Christ at work within you. You become a living testimony that darkness does not win.
Today, remember this: your calling is not to curse the darkness, but to stand in the light God has already given. When you rise, others find their way. When you shine, hope becomes visible.
Action Steps:
Take a few minutes today to name one area where you’ve been sitting back instead of standing up. Offer it to God in prayer.
Step into the light by choosing obedience, even if clarity feels partial.
Look for one intentional way to reflect God’s light through encouragement, generosity, or courage, where darkness seems loudest.
Today’s challenge:
Don’t shrink back. Rise in faith and let God’s glory be seen through you, even in small, quiet ways.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that Your light has come and Your glory rests upon us. When we feel tired, uncertain, or overshadowed by darkness, remind us that we do not walk alone. Help us to arise with courage and to shine with humility, reflecting Your love wherever we go. Let our lives point others to the hope found in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
(Isaiah 60:1, NIV)
There are moments when life feels dim. When circumstances press in, discouragement clouds vision, and it’s tempting to stay seated in the shadows. Isaiah speaks into that kind of moment. God doesn’t whisper, “Wait a little longer.” He declares, “Arise.” Stand up. Lift your eyes. Take your place. Why? Because the light you need is not something you have to manufacture, it has already come.
This verse was spoken to a people who knew exile and loss. They were rebuilding, still surrounded by rubble and reminders of what once was. Yet God calls them to rise before everything looks restored. The command isn’t based on how bright the surroundings are, but on where the light comes from. “The glory of the Lord rises upon you.” God’s presence is the source. His glory is the fuel.
Think about the morning sky. Before the sun fully crests the horizon, the sky begins to change. Darkness doesn’t disappear all at once, but it no longer has the final word. That’s how God’s light works in us. When His glory rises upon you, you carry hope into places still waking up. You don’t just wait for light you reflect it.
Today’s verse is also deeply personal. God isn’t only addressing a nation; He’s speaking to His people. When you’ve been bent under disappointment, grief, or weariness, the invitation remains: arise. When fear tells you to stay hidden, God says, shine. Not with your own strength, but with the light of Christ at work within you. You become a living testimony that darkness does not win.
Today, remember this: your calling is not to curse the darkness, but to stand in the light God has already given. When you rise, others find their way. When you shine, hope becomes visible.
Action Steps:
Take a few minutes today to name one area where you’ve been sitting back instead of standing up. Offer it to God in prayer.
Step into the light by choosing obedience, even if clarity feels partial.
Look for one intentional way to reflect God’s light through encouragement, generosity, or courage, where darkness seems loudest.
Today’s challenge:
Don’t shrink back. Rise in faith and let God’s glory be seen through you, even in small, quiet ways.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that Your light has come and Your glory rests upon us. When we feel tired, uncertain, or overshadowed by darkness, remind us that we do not walk alone. Help us to arise with courage and to shine with humility, reflecting Your love wherever we go. Let our lives point others to the hope found in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
February
A Soul That Magnifies the LordStrong Where It Matters MostWalking Through the Darkest ValleyThe Golden WayA Word That Lifts the WeightRun With PurposeTraining for What LastsJoy That Grows Under PressureWhen Anxiety Multiplies, God SustainsRefined by the FireGrace That OverflowsStrength for Every SeasonUnashamed to Bear His NameDevoted to One AnotherThe Joy of a Righteous ChildWalking in LoveThe Glory That Fills the EarthFinish WellThe Pain That Produces PeaceOur Only AimThe Way, The Truth, The Life
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in Weakness
No Comments