Rise Daily: April 13

Rise Daily: April 13

THIS WEEK’S THEME & PASSAGE

Faith and Work – Isaiah 60:1-14

This week’s sermon from the series “Where We are Going: The City and the Mission“

THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

Memorizing scripture is a way to keep God’s word close to our hearts. Each week we will select one verse of scripture to remember as a community.

Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

THE WORD

Each day’s devotion will focus on one part of the week’s passage.

Isaiah 60:5-7

5  Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.
7  All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you;
the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
they shall come up with acceptance on my altar,
and I will beautify my beautiful house.

MEDITATION ON THE WORD

In our busyness and distraction, it is easy to skim through our reading rather than taking it in. Yet we believe this is the inspired word of God. Take a moment to pause, thank God for the scriptures and ask him to speak to you through them today.

As we reflected earlier, the light of God’s glory, which begins by shining in the city of Jerusalem, spreads throughout the earth. We see in today’s passage that the natural response is radiant joy.  When people behold the glory of God, hearts begin to “throb and swell with joy” (NIV).  God’s glory manifests in two particular ways in today’s passage: first, through the homage of gifts being presented and second, through the praise of those who proclaim the good news of God.

Notice that the glory of God is experienced through the wealth of the seas, the riches of the nations, as well as camels from exotic locations.  God has restored the riches of Jerusalem and has turned her poverty into a flourishing marketplace. Nations from around the world are contributing to her wealth, giving testimony to the sovereignty of God’s grace and power.  The mention of Midian in the south, Ephah to the east, and both Kedar and Nebaioth in the northeast make clear that the nations from around the world are converging upon Jerusalem.

Isaiah foretells the future in which the wealth and flourishing of Jerusalem has been restored at long last.  People from all nations are drawn to her light to give rightful praise to our God.

THIS WEEK’S RISE REFLECTION

Our vision to serve our city will need more than a strategic plan: it will require bold dependence on the gospel. You are invited into this vision that is not about building a bigger church, but about activating a people-driven movement of serving our neighbor. It starts right where God has placed you. As we get ready for Commitment Week starting on April 17, what difference would you want your commitment to Rise to make in your heart and life?

TODAY’S PRAYER

For your Heart: Pray that you would have eyes to see God’s richness, beauty, grace and glory around you today.  Pray that sin would not veil the power of his glory to fill your heart with his joy.

For your Church: Pray for our church to experience and exhibit a richness of joy in calling and in work that draws those we encounter to ask the reason for this joy.

For our City: Pray that our city would be built not out of fears of scarcity but out of the abundance of joy that the gospel uniquely brings.