Rise Daily: April 15

Rise Daily: April 15

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 60:10-14

10 Foreigners shall build up your walls,
and their kings shall minister to you;
for in my wrath I struck you,
but in my favor I have had mercy on you.
11 Your gates shall be open continually;
day and night they shall not be shut,
that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations,
with their kings led in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom
that will not serve you shall perish;
those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
13 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
the cypress, the plane, and the pine,
to beautify the place of my sanctuary,
and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons of those who afflicted you
shall come bending low to you,
and all who despised you
shall bow down at your feet;
they shall call you the City of the LORD,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

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.

In today’s verses, we are brought into the gates of this new Zion, the great City of God, and there continue to be many surprises as we journey in.  First, we see that its walls are built up by “foreigners” who are full members of this community (verse 10). Drawn to the light of Zion, these foreigners are now recipients of God’s surging love when once they received wrath.

Secondly, we see the kings of nations (verse 11) entering with their entourage as willing subjects, paying homage with the wealth of the nations.  All who enter come to serve the great King of kings.  We see the full extent of the gospel’s power in verse 14 when former oppressors now humble themselves in service.  Hatred is turned into service as the triumph of grace fills this great city with “unexpected” citizens.

Also included in this passage is judgment pronounced upon prideful nations that will not submit themselves to God’s glorious Kingdom.  Their self-chosen fate due to a disregard of God’s grace brings upon a ruin.  Yet, despite this rebellion, Zion will be made beautiful and all will bow to the One whose name belongs to this city.

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 your heart would expand with wonder as it grasps the vision and promise of Zion revealed in this text.

For your Church: Pray that our church would embrace those who might consider themselves to be outsiders or  foreigners among us. Pray that our church would treat those who are alienated in our own congregations with love, compassion, and dignity.

For our City: Praise God for his power–his ability to humble former oppressors, turn hatred into love and grace and fill this great city with “unexpected” citizens.