Arise, Shine Believer

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1)

Believers in this world are often surrounded by darkness.  We are often pierced by the dark accusations of Satan.  We are often caught in the dark snares of this world’s allurements and the darkness of our own sinful flesh seems to hide the face of God from our view.

But here God calls forth the Light of His gospel to Arise and Shine out of darkness in our hearts.  This light is Jesus Christ the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person.     (2 Corinthians 4:6) Jesus Christ our redeemer is the light of the world and the light was the life of men. (John 8:12) May God the Holy Ghost cause the light of Christ to arise and shine in our heart.  May His word shine as the noon day sun in its strength in order to dispel the darkness that shrouds our hearts and minds.  Behold my soul the glory of God that shines from the cross of Christ.  Look and see how that He has triumphed over all thy sins by His suffering God’s wrath in my stead.  See the light of how that He crushed the head of thy accuser by His one offering for our sins.(Hebrews 10:14)  Christ in victory sat down on the right hand of God having purged our sins. What darkness of condemnation can abide seeing that God has justified thee?  What wicked accusation will stand seeing God has accepted Christ and we are in union with Him?  (Romans 8:31-19)

Arise and shine thou Blessed redeemer upon the snares of this world.  By the light Thine inheritance prepared for us, expose the vanity of this fleeting world and all its vexing treasures. (Ecclesiastes 1:2) Give to me the light of faith and love Christ and Hope for that bright world to come that is reserved in heaven for me. (1Peter 1:3-5) Let this light cause me to count all the worlds kin, treasures and allurements as dung that I may win Christ and be found in Him.  (Philippians 3:8-9)

Arise and shine in my heart thou blessed Sun of Righteousness and reveal the truth that “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”  Give me such warmth of thy love and grace so that I should loath myself and my sin but find all my joy and contentment in Christ’s perfect righteousness.  (Ezekiel 36:24-31)

Oh my soul are you troubled?  Hope thou in God for His Light, even Jesus Christ the glory of God is risen on thee.  Even upon me by His Free Grace and where His Light is risen, no darkness is able to abide.

                                                                                                                                                             -Fred Evans




Boasting of an Unskilled Sailor

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  (Matthew 26:33-35)

I have secretly boasted to myself that I was a brave, skilled, confident Christian Sailor while my feet were firmly planted on land; but when at sea, when land was no longer in sight, when the Son hid his face behind the clouds, when the dark storm surged and the mighty waves swelled, when the lightning flashed and the thunder clapped, when the winds howled and the boat began to rock—then reality slapped me silly, and the heart of the brave, skilled, confident sailor was forced to confess that he sails much better on land than he does at sea.

-Frank Hall