Your Light Has Come

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. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (Isaiah 60:1-3).

Have you ever wondered why there’re people who are desperately wicked, and treat others with such cruelty?

Like what happened several years ago in Sierra Leone, where many had their limbs amputated, including babies. I recall watching a documentary where some of the victims narrated their ordeal. The perpetrators, some of whom were boy-soldiers conscripted to wreak the havoc, had no restraint. They acted with inhuman heartlessness and wickedness.

Such injurious and vicious acts of cruelty don’t happen by themselves; they’re orchestrated by demonic forces over whom we have authority in the Name of Jesus.

As a child of God, therefore, you must continually exercise your authority in the Name of Jesus against the demonic powers that lure men into such acts of wickedness, breaking their influence over the people.

In Mark 16:17, Jesus said concerning the believing ones, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils….” Then in Matthew 5:14, He said, “Ye are the light of the world….”

The dark places of the earth may have been filled with habitations of cruelty, but we can do something about it. So don’t be quiet. We’re the light in a dark world. You don’t have to be physically domiciled in these turbulent regions, but you can effect changes from where you are through authoritative prayers in the Name of Jesus.

You have the power to frustrate the evil one, and insist that the peace of God governs the nations, and rules in men’s hearts.

Pray especially today for those in war-torn regions, especially children, who have been displaced due to these senseless acts of violence.

Pray that they’d find comfort and peace in the Lord, and that through the intervention of the Spirit and the activities of angels, many would be guided to receive salvation.

There’s so much evil, wickedness, and persecution in the world today, and many are troubled as a result.

But it’s actually a fulfilment of the Scriptures; the Bible says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come 2 Timothy 3:1).

The ensuing verses 2-5 enumerate some of the evil that’ll characterize these last days: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:2-5 NIV).

Now, while all these are happening, something even bigger will be taking place as well. The Bible says, “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. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light…” (Isaiah 60:2-3).

Notice the underlined portion, and then recall what we read in our opening scripture. Irrespective of the darkness and evil in the world in these last days, you’re to shine ever so brightly.

He says, “…the Gentiles shall come to thy light”; this is much more than God’s light shining upon us, and His glory seen in us. Rather, it’s us bringing forth a new season; a new day. Think about it this way: when Jesus came, He brought forth the new creation; He raised sons of God; that was His purpose.

Then He said concerning us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). So, what’s happening is, while there’s darkness in the world, we’re not waiting for the light of God to shine; rather, we shine, for He’s made us His light in a dark world. How do you shine? It’s by acting out God’s Word; living out the Gospel; doing the works of God. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

We must walk in the reality of this knowledge

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9).

Now you know your present location; you’ve been brought out of darkness into God’s marvellous light.

That light is the light of life that shows you the path of righteousness, life and dominion. It’s like what the Lord did for the children of Israel in the Old Testament; He brought them out of Egypt, which represented darkness, into the Promised Land, which symbolizes light!

Darkness represents sin, death, evil, and all the negatives of life. You’ve been brought out of sin, sickness, disease, depression, poverty, and frustrations, into God’s Kingdom of light.

This isn’t something the Lord will do for you as you grow in Christ; He’s already done it. Colossians 1:12-13 says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

When you made Jesus Lord of your life, you were translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son; it’s a spiritual kingdom of light, where you reign in life by grace through righteousness.

You’re not subject to the darkness and failing systems and structures of this world. You’ve been brought into the supernatural life of glory where you shine evermore. No wonder He said in Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).

In John 5:35, the Lord Jesus points out something beautiful in the character of John the Baptist: “He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” What a description; coming from the lips of the Master Himself!

Not every light is a burning and shining light. Some are cool and dull, but Jesus gave witness that John was a burning and a shining light. And because John was a burning and a shining light, other people rejoiced in his light, so they could see with it.

Do you know you can have the Lord describe you this way, within the context of your service to Him? Sure! Make up your mind to be not just a light, for you’re already the light of the world. Rather, be a burning and a shining light.

The way to burn and shine is by being effective in the things the Lord has called you to do. The Bible says “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

To be a burning and a shining light means you’re fervent, agile and enthusiastic about spiritual things. From sun up to sun down, the Gospel is paramount on your mind. It’s impossible for you to keep quiet; all you think and talk about is world evangelism.

It brings to mind the words of the Prophet Jeremiah: “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jeremiah 20:9).

When you’re a burning and a shining light, every encounter with you by those who don’t know Christ is an unforgettable moment with divinity. You’re afire with the Gospel twenty-four hours a day; you’re perpetually high on the Holy Ghost. This is how God expects you to live, as one who’s fervent in soul-winning and prayer for lost souls!

As a burning and a shining light, you seek to touch everyone with the power of God. When there’s a need in the ministry, you’re there to give of your time, efforts and resources. This is how to burn and shine for the Lord. Before long, others will come and rejoice in your light; they’ll hear your inspiring testimonies and be stirred to pray and make impact just like you. Glory to God.

-GSW-