Arise, O God and Shine {verses 3 & 4}

In discussing earlier verses of this hymn, we've seen that God's light shines through us to help lead people to Him. It is only through His glorious power working in us that unbelievers will see Jesus and be drawn to Him. We must be strengthened with all power according to His might, just as Paul prayed for the church at Colossae.

...So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:10-12

When we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him, and joyfully giving thanks to Him, He will use our lives to show others the gospel. But showing others the gospel is not enough. We must tell them the gospel. We must use words to teach them who Jesus is and why He came to earth and went humbly to the cross. And we must be in a right position with God, as David shows us.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13

Sustain me with a willing spirit, then I will teach sinners your ways so that they will be converted to You! God, in His glorious might, can give us that willing spirit to share the gospel, and the words to describe how God has created a clean heart in us. Psalm 51:10-11 is quoted often - of course we want to have a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. We do not want to be cast away from God's presence. But what is the result of a restoration of the joy of our salvation? It is being able to teach others! We must tell others the good news so that they will repent and be saved from their sins. And one day, God will fill the earth with righteousness. That is something to look forward to!

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habukkuk 2:14

Our only wise God deserves this glory - glory that comes from the earth being filled with the knowledge of Him. To Him praises should rise from every living thing.

He is the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God!

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. I Timothy 1:17

Everything that breathes, from coast to coast, praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Psalm 150

Let us go out into our worlds to be God's light here on earth, pointing people to Christ through our actions AND our words, so that everything that has breath WILL praise the Lord, and the earth will be filled with the glory of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

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.