Rise and Shine!

It’s funny – I function quite efficiently in a goal-oriented manner, and yet I am not much of a New Year Resolution setter.  When the calendar turns over I do pause for some reflection, however in recent years I’ve learned to take advice from Paul and reach forward to what lies ahead; Pressing on for the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  If there is any one single resolution that is more important than that (on any day of the year) I would challenge you to tell it to me!

There is a verse from Proverbs that seems to be setting the tone for the current Spiritual work that God wants to do through me.  I believe it is a verse that He would love each one of us to capture and absorb into the fiber of our being.

“The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”  Proverbs 4 verse 18.

My kids have a song book that plays old Christian hymns.  Last night they pulled it out and forced me to sing them.  “Rise and Shine and give God your glory, glory.”  Do you remember that one?  This song describes what the Proverbs writer was saying when he said, “The path of the righteous is like the dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

The imagery of light being shone into darkness is used consistently throughout Scripture to describe what happens when God’s Truth is presented in the face of sin.  Evil, sin, Satan are the darkness.  God’s Word, Jesus, truth, righteousness are the light.

As God’s children, we can show His glory on this earth when we act in obedience and speak His truth into the darkness we encounter.  And just like the sun rises in the morning and moves upward to the fullness of the day, when it is brightest, we are to continue to shine His light with increasing obedience and glory until the day He returns.

That is what Proverbs 4:18 is telling us.  The very next verse, verse 19 reads, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.”   Did you catch that – THEY DO NOT KNOW over what they stumble.

If we live our lives in such a manner that we give evidence of God at work to those around us – others will see something that they are not even aware exists.  God’s Word is foolishness to those who do not have His Holy Spirit residing in them.  Yet they can see evidence or proof of God through you when you walk in a way that seeks to please Him.  In other words, in obedience.

Just after verse 19 we read, “Give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.  Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.  For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their body.”

Early in January we tend to wish each other good health in the upcoming year.  I, too, wish you good health – a good health that stems from knowledge of God’s Word.

~  Peace.