*Rhapsody of Realities*
15 November 2019
_By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome_ —
*Light In A Dark World*
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee (Isaiah 60:1-2).
There’s so much evil, wickedness, and persecution in the world today, and many are troubled as a result. But it’s actually a fulfilment of the Scriptures; the Bible says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come 2 Timothy 3:1).
The ensuing verses 2-5 enumerate some of the evil that’ll characterize these last days: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:2-5 NIV).
Now, while all these are happening, something even bigger will be taking place as well. The Bible says, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light…” (Isaiah 60:2-3).
Notice the underlined portion, and then recall what we read in our opening scripture. Irrespective of the darkness and evil in the world in these last days, you’re to shine ever so brightly.
He says, “…the Gentiles shall come to thy light”; this is much more than God’s light shining upon us, and His glory seen in us. Rather, it’s us bringing forth a new season; a new day. Think about it this way: when Jesus came, He brought forth the new creation; He raised sons of God; that was His purpose.
Then He said concerning us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). So, what’s happening is, while there’s darkness in the world, we’re not waiting for the light of God to shine; rather, we shine, for He’s made us His light in a dark world. How do you shine? It’s by acting out God’s Word; living out the Gospel; doing the works of God. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Glory be to God!
CONFESSION
I’m the light of the world, and my light shines everywhere, dispelling evil, wickedness and other works of darkness; ushering men into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 12:35; Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;
2 Corinthians 4:6; For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:5; Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 12:1-13 & Ezekiel 11-12
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 12:12-19 & 1 Chronicles 15
15 November 2019
_By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome_ —
*Light In A Dark World*
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee (Isaiah 60:1-2).
There’s so much evil, wickedness, and persecution in the world today, and many are troubled as a result. But it’s actually a fulfilment of the Scriptures; the Bible says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come 2 Timothy 3:1).
The ensuing verses 2-5 enumerate some of the evil that’ll characterize these last days: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:2-5 NIV).
Now, while all these are happening, something even bigger will be taking place as well. The Bible says, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light…” (Isaiah 60:2-3).
Notice the underlined portion, and then recall what we read in our opening scripture. Irrespective of the darkness and evil in the world in these last days, you’re to shine ever so brightly.
He says, “…the Gentiles shall come to thy light”; this is much more than God’s light shining upon us, and His glory seen in us. Rather, it’s us bringing forth a new season; a new day. Think about it this way: when Jesus came, He brought forth the new creation; He raised sons of God; that was His purpose.
Then He said concerning us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). So, what’s happening is, while there’s darkness in the world, we’re not waiting for the light of God to shine; rather, we shine, for He’s made us His light in a dark world. How do you shine? It’s by acting out God’s Word; living out the Gospel; doing the works of God. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Glory be to God!
CONFESSION
I’m the light of the world, and my light shines everywhere, dispelling evil, wickedness and other works of darkness; ushering men into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 12:35; Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;
2 Corinthians 4:6; For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:5; Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 12:1-13 & Ezekiel 11-12
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 12:12-19 & 1 Chronicles 15
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