Isaiah 60:1-3 “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.”
Did you see the sun this morning? Sunshine is bright and warming. The sun is the closest thing man can imagine that illustrates the power, radiance, and glory that God is. Even though the Sun is several times greater than the Earth, the illustration still pales in comparison to God’s glory!
What you can take from these verses this morning is that any day is a glorious day in which God shows Himself.You may not see the sun on a given day (especially during a rainy season), but any day in which God shows Himself is a glorious day.
Now, let’s be clear about these verses: we are not Israel (the nation), and these events are yet in the future. But the New Testament clearly teaches that God does not change. God’s glory is not diminished because it is in relation to the “seed of Abraham by faith” instead of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom. The truth is, John 17 and many other passages talk about the glory of God and that we are to reflect it.
The word “glory” can be found throughout Isaiah 60: see verses 6,7, 9, 10, 13, and 16. Verse 19 is a good summary verse for the entire chapter: “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” Any day in which God shows Himself is a glorious day.
There are a couple of similarities between what Israel as a nation will know about God’s glory and what we as individuals can know of God’s glory today. First, God’s glory is reflected in people.Just as the moon reflects the sun, so people should reflect God’s glory (“And his glory shall be seen upon thee”). Your life, your words, your actions, and your attitudes should reflect the brilliance and brightness of God’s glory.
Secondly, God’s glory will attract others. One day, it will draw nations toward God’s people, but the same light draws people today. It has warmth that cannot be replicated and light that cannot be imitated. There is nothing like God’s glory.
Thirdly, God’s glory reminds us of what is yet to come. Isaiah 60 speaks of future events, and they remind us of what is yet to come in heaven. “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light. . . .” (Revelation 22:5) But I don’t have to wait until heaven for God to show Himself! God can give the light and warmth that is needed right now.
Any day is a glorious day in which God shows Himself. What is your glory this morning? What are you reflecting? “But the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
Prayer Requests:
1. Service tonight in Leesburg, VA
2. Conference on Marriage & the Home this weekend (5/6-5/8)