When Jesus comes again to claim His people and establish His kingdom forever, the Bible tells us that nations will come to His light. Distant nations will be brought near to sing His glorious praise.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Isaiah 60:1-3
That day can't come quick enough, can it? Can you even imagine it? Distant nations - countries that are far from each other (think relationally - fighting, wars, conflict of every kind) and far from God will come together to the light of the Lord.
They will come together to sing His glorious praise, for this is the Savior that purchased men from every nation!
And they sang a new song, saying,“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." Revelation 5:9
In that day, all the nations that are far off will cry out together in a loud voice, for they will finally hear and know His holy ways.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10
What can we do until that day?
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
We must work to ensure that the gospel can be preached to all the nations - to the whole world. Jesus tells us that when that is accomplished, the end will come. Let's work together to hasten that day!
Not all of us are called to go to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) but we can make disciples of those who live in our nation, who we interact with regularly. We can bring distant people near to sing His glorious praise. We can also support those who go to distant nations - financially and with prayer. We can, and must, pray that God will raise up people to preach His glorious gospel to all so that Jesus will come back, and quickly!
Join me in praying that many nations would come near, that soon we would hear the glorious sound of many tribes and tongues singing, "Our God Reigns!"
Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns." Revelation 19:6
Arise, O God, and Shine
Words by William Hurn
Arise, O God and Shine
In all Thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread Thy glorious light;
Let healing streams of mercy flow
That all the earth Thy truth may know.
Bring distant nations near
To sing Thy glorious praise;
Let every people hear
And learn Thy holy ways.
Reign, mighty God, assert Thy cause
And govern by Thy righteous laws.
Put forth Thy glorious power
That Gentiles all may see
And earth present her store
In converts born to Thee.
God, our own God, His Church will bless
And fill the world with righteousness.
To God, the only wise,
The one immortal king,
Let hallelujahs rise
From every living thing;
Let all that breathe, on every coast
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Arise, O God and Shine
This rousing hymn, sung to the tune of Darwall's 148th, or Rejoice The Lord is King, is especially appropriate for this season of Epiphany, when we think about Jesus coming to the earth to be light and we reflect on how we can shine His light and brighten the corner where we are. We'll look at each verse of this hymn over the next few days.
We want the light of God to shine so that others may know His saving might. As followers of Christ, we can say with the Psalmist David,
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
As creatures designed by God, we are to spread His glorious light. He has appointed us to be a light to the nations!
“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison." Isaiah 42:6-7
Along with His light comes healing - light shines in the darkness and brings things into the open. Healing comes to make whole what is broken. God, speaking through the prophet Malachi, tells us that Jesus would come as a healer.
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2
And He did! Early in His ministry, Matthew reports,
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23
When people saw who Jesus was and how God had given Him power to heal and change, they believed.
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. John 2:23
Jesus is not physically with us on the earth today; but He is still moving. His healing streams of mercy are flowing among us - and we need to make them known so that all the earth His truth will know.
Do you have a story of God's healing streams of mercy in your life? Brighten the corner where you are by sharing it with someone who doesn't know Jesus. If they have seen you changed, share with them about the Lord whose light shines through you!
Arise, O God, and Shine
Words by William Hurn
Arise, O God, and shine
In all Thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread Thy glorious light;
Let healing streams of mercy flow
That all the earth Thy truth may know.
Bring distant nations near
To sing Thy glorious praise;
Let every people hear
And learn Thy holy ways.
Reign, mighty God, assert Thy cause
And govern by Thy righteous laws.
Put forth Thy glorious power
That Gentiles all may see
And earth present her store
In converts born to Thee.
God, our own God, His Church will bless
And fill the world with righteousness.
To God, the only wise,
The one immortal king,
Let hallelujahs rise
From every living thing;
Let all that breathe, on every coast
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
We want the light of God to shine so that others may know His saving might. As followers of Christ, we can say with the Psalmist David,
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
As creatures designed by God, we are to spread His glorious light. He has appointed us to be a light to the nations!
“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison." Isaiah 42:6-7
Along with His light comes healing - light shines in the darkness and brings things into the open. Healing comes to make whole what is broken. God, speaking through the prophet Malachi, tells us that Jesus would come as a healer.
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2
And He did! Early in His ministry, Matthew reports,
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23
When people saw who Jesus was and how God had given Him power to heal and change, they believed.
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. John 2:23
Jesus is not physically with us on the earth today; but He is still moving. His healing streams of mercy are flowing among us - and we need to make them known so that all the earth His truth will know.
Do you have a story of God's healing streams of mercy in your life? Brighten the corner where you are by sharing it with someone who doesn't know Jesus. If they have seen you changed, share with them about the Lord whose light shines through you!
Arise, O God, and Shine
Words by William Hurn
Arise, O God, and shine
In all Thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread Thy glorious light;
Let healing streams of mercy flow
That all the earth Thy truth may know.
Bring distant nations near
To sing Thy glorious praise;
Let every people hear
And learn Thy holy ways.
Reign, mighty God, assert Thy cause
And govern by Thy righteous laws.
Put forth Thy glorious power
That Gentiles all may see
And earth present her store
In converts born to Thee.
God, our own God, His Church will bless
And fill the world with righteousness.
To God, the only wise,
The one immortal king,
Let hallelujahs rise
From every living thing;
Let all that breathe, on every coast
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Brighten the Corner Where You Are
Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
As I think about the New Year and my hopes, dreams and prayers for it, I remind myself that many of these things are part of daily life. They do not require a special circumstance; I can brighten the corner where I am.
I learned this fun, catchy gospel song when I was a child, and its message is still true today. We are called to be salt and light - and oh, does the world need light right now! Jesus came to the world to bring light, and when we believe and follow Him, that light dwells in us.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12
Jesus commands us to brighten the corner where we are. We are not to be tucked away, shining our light for ourselves. We are to give light to this dark world.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
And look at that promise that He gives us - our Father in heaven will get glory when others see our light and praise Him for it! That is one of my consistent prayers - that other people will see what I do and give God the glory.
Miss Ogdon reminds us that it is in our every day lives that we can make a difference by shining our light - we don't need to wait for a deed of greatness or to shed our light afar. We are called to be true to our many duties that are ever near us.
Where can you shine your light? Here are some ideas:
The cashiers at the grocery store or the waitstaff at your favorite restaurant - can you imagine what difference a kind word would make to them?
Your colleagues at work - through your words, decisions and behavior
Your children or other young people in your life - lead by example!
To a hurting friend or family member - let the love of Jesus pour through you
Think about how your words and actions can make someone's way a little easier - and be diligent about making intentional choices each day to shine your light.
You may not have an impact on a lot of people, but don't be discouraged. This song reminds us that into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer - but that's one heart that may be won over for Jesus Christ due to your kindness.
It is our privilege to reflect our Savior in this world - He is the bright morning star!
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16
It might be that from our humble hands someone will receive their daily bread, from the Bread of Life Himself, working through us.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." John 6:35
Today, brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the Corner Where You Are
Words by Ina Ogdon
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Refrain
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
As I think about the New Year and my hopes, dreams and prayers for it, I remind myself that many of these things are part of daily life. They do not require a special circumstance; I can brighten the corner where I am.
I learned this fun, catchy gospel song when I was a child, and its message is still true today. We are called to be salt and light - and oh, does the world need light right now! Jesus came to the world to bring light, and when we believe and follow Him, that light dwells in us.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12
Jesus commands us to brighten the corner where we are. We are not to be tucked away, shining our light for ourselves. We are to give light to this dark world.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
And look at that promise that He gives us - our Father in heaven will get glory when others see our light and praise Him for it! That is one of my consistent prayers - that other people will see what I do and give God the glory.
Miss Ogdon reminds us that it is in our every day lives that we can make a difference by shining our light - we don't need to wait for a deed of greatness or to shed our light afar. We are called to be true to our many duties that are ever near us.
Where can you shine your light? Here are some ideas:
The cashiers at the grocery store or the waitstaff at your favorite restaurant - can you imagine what difference a kind word would make to them?
Your colleagues at work - through your words, decisions and behavior
Your children or other young people in your life - lead by example!
To a hurting friend or family member - let the love of Jesus pour through you
Think about how your words and actions can make someone's way a little easier - and be diligent about making intentional choices each day to shine your light.
You may not have an impact on a lot of people, but don't be discouraged. This song reminds us that into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer - but that's one heart that may be won over for Jesus Christ due to your kindness.
It is our privilege to reflect our Savior in this world - He is the bright morning star!
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16
It might be that from our humble hands someone will receive their daily bread, from the Bread of Life Himself, working through us.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." John 6:35
Today, brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the Corner Where You Are
Words by Ina Ogdon
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Refrain
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
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