Rise Daily: April 14

Rise Daily: April 14

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 60:8-9

8 Who are these that fly like a cloud,
and like doves to their windows?
9 For the coastlands shall hope for me,
the ships of Tarshish first,
to bring your children from afar,
their silver and gold with them,
for the name of the LORD your God,
and for the Holy One of Israel,
because he has made you beautiful.

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 God’s people from all over the world descend upon Zion, the city where God reigns, we read today that the ships of Tarshish are carrying the children of Jerusalem along with their treasures of gold and silver.  The ships of Tarshish, which scholars locate in modern day Spain, were masterfully crafted vessels specifically designed to be entrusted with large amounts of wealth in the form of gold and silver.  You might say they were the ancient equivalence to modern-day investment banks—vessels entrusted to move large amounts of wealth from one nation to another.

During the golden age of Israel, Solomon had a fleet of these ships from Tarshish (1 Kings 10:22) symbolizing his great wealth and power.  Yet, another similarity appears between these ships and modern day banks—the association with human pride and greed.  There are several passages where God pronounces judgments upon these ships (see Ps 48:7, Isa 23:1,14) because they represented injustice and hubris.

Given this Biblical context, it is remarkable to see that these ships that once were the objects of God’s judgment are repurposed to transport precious cargo—God’s people as well as treasures of gold and silver.  It is a beautiful picture of God’s redeeming all things—even the artifacts that we create through sinful pride and rebellion.  God’s sovereignty over the world is clearly announced with the vision of these ships, and he is able to use these once dark vessels to beautify his glorious 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 you would be motivated to do your work not for yourself or ultimately for other people, but for God and his glory’s sake.

For your Church: Pray that the churches scattered throughout the city would take seriously their calling and the work they have been entrusted with no matter how mundane or menial it may appear to be. Pray that we would all trust that God in his sovereignty is able to bring about an incredible transformation for his glory.

For our City: Pray that our city would not be driven by self-serving pride, but that there would be a movement of the Spirit to lead people to desire the common good.