Father, thank You for this verse for the New Year. I read it out loud several times a day and it encourages me:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.”
You ARE the light that will dispel the darkness. It is time for me to arise and shine! To step out of the shadows, into the purpose You have called me to. You have come to deliver us out of the darkness! Your glory rises upon us like the sun breaking over the horizon. As we bask in the warmth and light of Your glory we will have enough light to see the next step to take out of the darkness.
Yes, “darkness covers the earth.” Our times feel darker than any we have lived in: wars, politically correct agendas, manipulation by the media, religions and ideologies becoming more and more violent and spreading across the world producing so much fear and conflict.
And truly “thick darkness is over the peoples.” So many are being personally deceived by the lies of satan. It has many believing there is no hope.
BUT! “The LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you!” So there IS hope!
Because of Your love for us, You rise upon us. And Your glory can dispel the darkness around us. It is a sign for us to stop hiding and being timid – to arise and shine! And it is our protection appearing over us.
Thank You for this hope. Thank You for Your light. Thank You that it is time. Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 