Arise, shine…

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1).

I love the word ‘arise’ in this verse. The Hebrew word ‘qum’ means to stand up or to stand, and in Genesis, the same word is used to mean ‘to establish’. Genesis 9:9 says, “I Myself will establish My covenant”. All through Scripture we see the glory of God bringing people to their knees in humility and reverential awe; however, being ‘established’ in Christ, we can rise and shine, reflecting His glory that shines upon us.

It’s a powerful spiritual image to consider ourselves on our knees before a holy God, but simultaneously standing and shining in Christ who has risen upon us for our justification and redemption. Before a holy God, we can do nothing but bow in reverential awe; in Christ, we can stand and reflect His glory. And because we are now established in Christ reflecting His light, “Go, therefore, making disciples of all nations…”