Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1,3 ESV
My reading today begins with some familiar verses from Isaiah. In fact, these verses are very similar to Matthew 5:14,16 when Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” My life is to be a light to those in the dark, a declaration of God’s glory and power.
The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Isaiah 61:1 ESV
God has appointed me to deliver His Good News to all people. He has sent me to help those in need and to comfort those who are mourning. However, there are times when I myself am in need of help and comforting.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul tells the Corinthians of the affliction Christians in Asia where experiencing. However, this suffering taught them not to rely on their own strength but to lean on God for strength and comfort. Paul states that God delivered them from the peril they where in and he trusted God to deliver them again. Like Paul, I too need to lean on Christ, not relying on my own strength but relying on Him.
The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his might arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” Isaiah 62: 8-9 ESV
Sometimes it feels like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders, a burden so heavy I cannot carry it alone. That is when I need to turn to God for help and ask for His strength and comfort. He will help me through my struggles, strength, and comfort me. He will not let me go.
Dear God, please help me call to You when I need strength instead of trying to do everything myself. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to help me and for always caring for me. I want to love and trust you more LORD. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
Nathanael (nborger2017)
Sixty-six books in a year 