Title: When Darkness Covers the Earth
Scripture: Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
God's people were in exile when Isaiah spoke these words. Jerusalem lay in ruins. The temple was destroyed. Everything looked hopeless. But God tells them to get up and shine. This makes no sense from a human perspective. How can you shine when your world has fallen apart?
The prophet isn't talking about generating your own light. He's pointing to something entirely different. God's glory would return to his people. His presence would shine upon them like the sun rising at dawn. The light doesn't come from within Jerusalem. It comes from God himself dwelling with his people.
This prophecy points straight to Jesus. When he came, the people were still in darkness. Rome occupied their land. Religious leaders had corrupted God's law. Then Jesus arrived, and John tells us he is the true light that gives light to everyone. In him, God's glory returned to his people.
The darkness Isaiah describes isn't just physical. It's spiritual blindness that affects every person. We see this in our own day. People chase empty pleasures. They define truth by their feelings. They call evil good and good evil. The darkness is real, and it's everywhere.
But God's command still stands. Arise and shine. Not because we have light in ourselves, but because Christ's glory has risen upon us. When you trust in Jesus, his Spirit dwells in you. You become a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Your words, your actions, your whole life now reflect God's glory to a dark world.
This doesn't require spectacular gifts or platforms. A mother teaching her children about Jesus shines his light. A businessman who refuses to cheat reflects God's glory. A teenager who stands up for the unpopular kid shows Christ's love. The light comes from God's presence in you, not from your own effort.
Prayer: Father, we confess that we often hide your light rather than let it shine. Forgive us for blending into the darkness around us. Make us bold to live as children of light. Let others see your glory in how we love, speak, and serve. Use our ordinary lives to point people to Jesus. Amen.
