Your Light Has Come: Isaiah 60(2)

Pray Psalm 122.1.
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

Read Isaiah 60.4-7.

Reflect.
1. How do the verses for today parallel and enlarge on Isaiah 2.1-4?

2. How would you describe the mood of these verses?

Meditate.
In Isaiah 2.1-4, the prophet foresaw a day when the nations would stream up to the mountain of the Lord’s house. Here he repeats that vision and enlarges it, showing that the day is coming when the “house of My glory” will be one big happy family of servants, worshippers, and witnesses.

The focus of these verses is on the Lord’s house – His people. As their light begins to shine, and the glory of God becomes visible in them (vv. 1-3), the nations of the world will respond in glad and willing submission. The prophet exhorts the people to see this vision clearly (v. 4). Those who are the true sons and daughters of God will be streaming up to His house from every nation. They will share in the glory of God with His people, and together they will “swell with joy” (v. 5). They will bring all their wealth into the Lord’s house and use it to “proclaim the praises of the LORD” (vv. 5, 6). They will come as ministers and worshipers, bringing their offerings to the Lord and glorifying Him within His house (v. 7).

Israel had never seen anything like this, but it was always in the plan of God to bless the nations of the world through the people He had chosen for Himself (cf. Gen. 12.1-3). We are the people of God described in these verses, the house of His glory (cf. Eph. 2.19-22). We are called to serve, worship, and bear witness to the Lord, and to give of ourselves and our wealth in seeking the Kingdom of God. We should have a vision of reaching more people for Christ, and we should work hard at realizing that vision in our generation.

God has promised. He expected His people of Judah and Jerusalem to cling to and prepare for this vision, even as they were going into captivity in Babylon. He expects the same of us today.

Prepare.
1. How do the light of Christ and the glory of God shine forth in a believer’s life? In a local church?

2. What expectations and what vision should we cherish as we work our Personal Mission Field?

3. Would you say that yours is a church of servants, worshippers, and witnesses? Explain.

He says these words with regard to the righteous ones of the synagogue, who gather from every land and come to it; however, in a figurative sense, these words signify the children of the holy church, the dispersed peoples, I mean, who were quite far away and distant from God. The gospel of Christ, preached to them by the holy apostles, gathered them, so that the apostles carried them as if in their arms and introduced them into the sheepfold of the church, their mother. Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 60.4, 5

Lord, give me a vision for reaching the people in my Personal Mission Field! Help me today to…

Pray Psalm 122.
Let this psalm lead you to pray for your church – its leaders, members, and ministries. Pray that the peace of the Lord and fullness of the Gospel will abound in your church.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 122 (Nettleton: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)
I was glad when they said to me, “To the Lord’s house let us go!”
Holy City, let our feet be firmly planted in your soil.
Jesus builds His Church forever, where His people sing His praise!
As Your Word decrees forever, we will thank You all our days.

On the throne of David, Jesus sits to judge the nations all.
As our holy peace increases we are safe who on You call.
Grant us peace, Lord, by Your favor; for Your people’s sake we pray.
For the Church’s sake, O Savior, we will seek Your good today.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).