Scripture
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. ”

Observation
The Lord says to arise and shine for our light has come, the glory of the Lord is upon us.  Darkness is over the whole earth, but the light of God is over His people.

The nations are drawn to the light. We lift up our eyes and see sons and daughters coming from afar. Then we will look and our hearts will be filled with joy.

Application
Jesus has come. He is the light of the world and He shines in the darkness that covers the world.

Our job as believers is to let out the light that is in us. We are to rise and shine.

There is no doubt that the world is trapped in the darkness of sin. As believers we must shine the light of Jesus into the darkness.

We can do this by loving the unlovely, caring for the lost and sharing the grace of God wherever we go.

Prayer
Lord, you are my light and my salvation. Help me to shine your light in the darkness. Amen.

Who is this man Jesus
Son of Man
Son of God?
Who is this servant
Who bears the sins of the world
Who binds the wounds of all?

—

You were beaten and killed for me
Crushed under a load of sin
Broken on a cross and buried
Raised to life again.

—

You are my Lord, Jesus
Son of God
Son of Man.

Scripture

It was the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.

Observation
In the year of King Uzziah’s death, Isaiah sees the Lord. He is high on a throne with a robe whose train fills the whole building. Mighty seraphim surround the throne and cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord. The whole earth is full of His glory!”

The voices shake the Temple and smoke fills it.

Isaiah is filled with dread for he knows he is a sinful man and he should die in the presence of the Lord. A seraph takes a burning coal from the altar and touches it to Isaiah’s lips saying it has now removed his guilt.

The Lord then asks who will be His messenger to the people of Israel. Isaiah responds, “Here I am. Send me.”

Application
What an awesome revelation this must have been for Isaiah. But this vision is not for Isaiah’s pleasure or excitement. The Lord is looking for a man who will carry His message to His people.

God is holy; God is awesome; God is powerful; God is a sender.

God is looking for men and women who will take His message to a people group. Our response to this call must be like Isaiah’s, “Here I am. Send me.”

Prayer
Lord fill all your people with a willingness, a desire to go with your message. Amen.

O Father

Teacher of my heart
Giver of wisdom
I give myself to you

—

Ancient of Days
I go to the cross
Knowing this is the eternal plan

—

I set my face
Hard as flint
Walking to the cross
Suffering ahead
Vindication follows

—

Salvation for fallen men
Won on my body
Purchased in blood
Lovingly shed

Scripture

He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired

and young men will fall in exhaustion

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength

They will soar high like eagles

They will run and not grow weary

They will walk and not faint.

Observation

The Lord is great and mighty, sitting high over the earth. People are just like grasshoppers to Him. He judges the princes and mighty ones of the world, blowing them away like chaff in the wind.

There is no one like the Lord who calls the stars by name, arranging them like a mighty army.

For those who trust Him, The Lord is their strength. He will raise them up on wings like eagles, and they will not grow weary.

Application

The Lord is greater than we can imagine- so powerful that He calls all the stars by name. He raises up princes and world leaders, and He pulls them down again.

This same God knows me by name too. When I trust Him, He renews my strength. When I turn to Him, He brings refreshment and energy to thrive in the midst of difficulties.

God is big enough to know the names of the stars, and to overthrow political and military powers.

He is big enough to know my name, to hear my prayers, and to overcome all the obstacles and bondages in my life.

Prayer

Lord you are amazing. I thank you for your great love for me. Help me to put my trust in you and to let you renew my strength. Amen.

The Spirit of the Lord fills me

A message of hope and joy
God is with us
Freedom and prosperity to all

It’s beauty for ashes
Blessing for mourning
Praise for despair
God’s great trade

You can’t do this
Only God turns nations
The Messiah is coming
Ruling for ever

Comfort comfort my people

Salvation is coming
Enmity is done
A peace treaty
Signed by God
In His Blood

Clear a way
Build a highway
God is coming
Fill the valleys
Level the mountains
Hasten His arrival

Not with judgement
Nor with penalty
But a wise loving arm
Reigning in peace
Our God saves.