I am tempted by passages of blessing to think God does great things because I am right with him. This can lead to a focus on myself rather than God ignoring my need for forgiveness and grace.
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. (Isaiah 60:1 NLT)
When we are called to arise it is because the light of the Lord shines on us.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. (Isaiah 60:2 NLT)
When darkness covers the earth the light of his people stands out.
It seems the Lord awaits his moment to make his glory rise and appear over us. He waits his time for effect. Are we willing to be patient for his work to be fulfilled? The final outcome will be amazing –
All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance. “Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. (Isaiah 60:3-4 NLT)
In a dark world the light of God shines out far and wide across the world, it shines to every strata of society. In this dark world, the Lord makes us into a lighthouse so that his little ones, prodigals who have wandered far from the light of Christ, come to their senses and return.