Isaiah 60:1-6 (NRSV)
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Chapter 60Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Verse 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Verse 3Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Verse 4Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Verse 5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. Verse 6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Devotion
Arise, shine, for your light has come. This lesson is a wonderful picture of the freshness so many feel on New Year’s Day. A clean calendar, full of possibilities; renewed determination to make life better, richer, deeper. It’s like new fallen snow – sparkly, inviting, unsullied. Everything shines clear and bright and hopeful. Lift up your eyes and look about you. Isaiah is writing about the hopefulness God’s people feel about the coming kingdom – the promises God makes for abundant life for those who believe. The Lord rises upon you, and his glory appears over you. The prophet might have been writing about the future, but a day like today reminds us that God calls us to that abundant life now, too.
As you prepare for this new year, what do you want to see happen in your life? Are there relationships you can mend, better habits you can form? Are you as close to God as you want to be? How can you refocus your heart on the Lord, so that you might share in his abundance, his hopefulness, today?
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for making me new every morning. Draw me closer to you, that I might be more faithful, fair, compassionate and merciful this year. Amen.