Rise Daily: April 12

Rise Daily: April 12

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 60:3-4

3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

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 saw yesterday, Isaiah encouraged his wayward and languishing people by reminding them of the great city of God that was to come: Jerusalem or Zion. That city is equated with the brilliant light of the presence of God.

Where light is present, it has the immediate effect of dispelling darkness, and, from the context of our passage, it has the power to bring clarity to the clouded judgments of leaders and rulers by showing them what perfectly wise governance looks like. Isaiah is telling us that there will be at last a universal recognition—from leaders to their subjects—of the splendor of the King of kings and Lord of lords, who rules in perfect justice and brings incomparable flourishing.

All nations, we are told will be drawn to that city. Who wouldn’t be? Who wouldn’t want to ply their skills in a place where economic concerns are not a hindrance to creativity? Where corruption can’t find a dark corner to fester? Where everyone is recognized as bringing something to the table, and no one goes without any good thing, including dignity? Only a ruler with the mercy, justice, wisdom, and power of God can engineer a city like that. The Old Testament couldn’t name who that future king would be, but the New Testament makes it absolutely clear.

We are told that on a future great day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (see Phil 2:10) and all of creation will worship, proclaiming:  “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever”  (Rev 5:13). We can look forward to that day, but we don’t have to idly wait for it. We can act out of that future reality now by finding ways to use our skills and talents in whatever industries we operate, to bring the light of God’s presence –his mercy, justice, and love – into our own 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: Praise God for the future reality where there is universal recognition for the one who rules in perfect justice and brings incomparable flourishing.

For your Church: Pray for those in our church who are in positions of leadership in various forms of calling (from workplaces to the home): pray that they would lead in a manner consistent with their worship of and submission to Christ.

For our City: Pray for all leaders of our city, in every sector and sphere of culture, that they would submit themselves to the common good that the Lord desires.  Pray that they might come to know the grace of Christ in ways that makes their leadership more effective, just and merciful.