ARISE, SHINE!

 Arise, shine; 

For your light has come! 

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, 

And deep darkness the people; 

But the Lord will arise over you, 

And His glory will be seen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1-2

Imagine many people seated in a big hall.

The hall is well lit with ceiling lamps.

Every individual has a candle in his hand.

It is almost impossible to see which ones are lit 

and which ones are not.

Suddenly all the ceiling lights are put out.

Immediately those with candles lit shine forth!

They clearly stand out 

from those that have candles that are not lit!

Since covid 19 began, darkness has spread across the nations,

around the world.

The torment of sickness, the fear of sickness,

the insecurity and fear of the future, 

the fear of lack of provision

in the midst of shut-downs:

All these comprise the thick darkness over the world.

This darkness has blocked the light from GOD

reaching the world.

The darkness has separated man from GOD,

Who is the source of light!

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made through Him, 

and without Him nothing was made that was made. 

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

And the light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, 

that all through him might believe. 

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 

That was the true Light 

which gives light to every man coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, 

and the world did not know Him. 

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 

But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name: 

who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, 

nor of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 

and we beheld His glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 

full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14

The LORD JESUS said,

 "  ...As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 9:5

 You are the light of the world. 

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, 

but on a lampstand, 

and it gives light to all who are in the house. 

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works 

and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

 For it is the God 

who commanded light to shine out of darkness, 

who has shone in our hearts 

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7

During this period of darkness when the ceiling lights appear to be switched off, GOD'S call comes to His children loud and clear through the darkness,

"Arise and shine!"

Let not the copious information about the virus, vaccine and statistics of the pandemic cloud our minds.

Let not the ever flowing news of rules and instructions distract our minds from our focus on the LORD. Let us heed His instructions from His word. Let us be sensitive to hear the gentle voice of His Spirit.

 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will guide you with My eye.
Psalm 32:8

Be diligent to protect your light.

Let not the darkness separate you from the LORD.

 Be sober, be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, 

seeking whom he may devour. 

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, 

knowing that the same sufferings 

are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

Receive the truth of GOD'S word which is light.

Meditate on His word and listen to what the LORD is saying.

Reflect that word by speaking to others about it.

Resist the temptation of constantly filling your mind with worldly information,

and being preoccupied with it. Avoid constantly discussing this information with others. Take every opportunity to speak life-giving words of encouragement to brethren and to share the Good News of Salvation through JESUS to non-believers.

Thus you will surely 'Arise and Shine' in this darkness!

Then, the darkness will not overwhelm or comprehend you!

You will be an overcomer and you will help others to overcome this period of darkness!

Let us 'Arise and Shine'!