Your gates will always stand open,
    they will never be shut, day or night,
so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—
    their kings led in triumphal procession. Isaiah 60:11

Peace will reign in the future of glory for Jerusalem! There will be no need to shut the gates to protect the City because she will have no enemies. The splendor bestowed upon the City by the Lord will turn the enemies to servants. Only those who come to bring glory and honor will show up.

“The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Revelation 21:24-26 NIV

If only we knew what the future brings, we would lie down in peace and rest. We worry about our days, we do not rest at night. We know not who is for us or who is against us.

God in His mercy and grace, has endowed us with His splendor, His Son.  He is our Redeemer, our Deliverer, our Defender.  His Presence in us makes us safe, gives us hope, opens the way for blessings.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, You are my Light and my Salvation, You are the stronghold of my life. I do not need to fear or be afraid (Psalm 27:1).   I trust in You, Lord!  Your Presence in me draws others to You and prepares a way for great blessing. My future in You does not compare to my past and those who once thought ill of me, will seek me out. I praise You God for Your compassion for me!

You’re the Hero of My Story Click on the link to pray with song.

“Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
    and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
    in favor I will show you compassion.”  Isaiah 60:10

The Prophet announces to the nation of Israel that foreigners, those who gave their allegiance to other deities, even they will come to help them restore Jerusalem. The Lord had oftentimes allowed Israel to suffer the consequences of her disobedience and still He loved and favored Israel. And in His favor He shows compassion.

When we find ourselves broken down, in disarray or in need of restoration, we often expect or at least hope that those around us, who know us best, would come to our aide. That’s the natural. The supernatural is when God steers the way of strangers, those far away from us, and leads them to edify us, bring us harmony or renewal.

Often times as a result of our disobedience, we find ourselves estranged from God, hiding from His presence, as if we could ever be able to do that. (Jeremiah 23:24)

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15 NIV

Can you imagine that those who do not know you will come to assist you in rebuilding, restoration, repair; even those in high places?

Will you believe that even though we may have fallen short at times, God’s favor is upon us and He shows us compassion?

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I am awed at your goodness and your mercies. Though I fail You, you’ve never failed us. And in my brokenness and in my need, You use whomever You need to use to bring healing, refreshing and renewal to my life.  Thank you for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8) .

You Make Me New Click on link to pray with song.

Surely the islands look to me;
    in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,
bringing your children from afar,
    with their silver and gold,
to the honor of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor. Isaiah 60:9

The Prophet Isaiah continues to declare the coming days of glory for Jerusalem as a result of Jerusalem arising, shining and recognizing that the light, the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Deliverer had come.  As a people who as wanderers became a nation, Israel was not seen as much. The time will come when those from far away will look to Israel and will return their inheritance. All this because God has brought splendor to the nation.

There was a time when others did not even take a second look at you because you were distraught and in disarray.  But soon they will be looking at you and will return to you what belongs to you. The darkness will not be able to contain your children and it will let them go! All this because God has brought splendor to your life!

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to seek me out and save me. Thank you that Jesus died for the Jewish nation and “not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.” (John 11:51-52)
Thank  you for loving us so much that we are called your children and although the world may not look to us know they will when your Son is once more revealed. (1 John 3:1-2) We ask that your light will also come to our children and our children’s children. Help us to declare their salvation without hesitation and with courageous faith.

Then They Will Know  Click on the link and declare God’s salvation with this Song!

Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
⁷ All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple. Isaiah 60:6-7 NIV

What a sight? Herds of camels everywhere and from everywhere, loaded down with treasures from those proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Camels from places where the inhabitants lived in tents. Camels that bring gifts from people who made their living by plundering, trading, and the keeping of flocks.

Kedar and Nebaioth were descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Ishmael was a half brother to Issac. The descendants of Ismael and the descendants of Issac, both children of Abraham, contribute to the dissension in the Middle East today.  They don’t get along.

Imagine that the gifts of those whom you don’t get along, those with whom you do not relate, will be accepted as offerings on God’s altar. They will adorn God’s temple. 

God’s  temple, God’s house, no longer built with stones but with you and I (Ephesians 2:19-22), adorned by gifts brought by those proclaiming the praise of the Lord.  Gifts accepted as offerings on God’s altar.

As we arise, shine and bring light to the darkness, we are not alone. Others close by and others far away will also arise and shine. Some closer than a brother and sister and others with whom we have not even related will rise and shine. And we will be God’s dwelling place

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

As children of God we do not have to pray the same way, sing the same, preach the same or serve the same. As long as we are proclaiming the praise of the Lord, our gifts will be accepted. 

Why then do we look down on other children of God?  Why do we seek to point out our differences? Do we not realize that we as “living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”?

As we proclaim the praises of the Lord, let us seek the unity among His children.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us that is no respecter of person but accepts all and blesses those who are committed followers of Your Son, Jesus.  Help us to rejoice as we witness your children from different congregations worship You with their gifts. Let your love abound in us as we proclaim your praises.

Make Us One Click on the link to pray in song.

Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.  Isaiah 60:5 NIV

The Israelites had gone through slavery, wandering in the desert, exile and even defeat on occasion. They may have forgotten the promises of God, they couldn’t possibly think that they would ever become that blessed nation through whom other nations would be blessed, ( Genesis 26:4). The prophet Isaiah is awakening them to the truth. It’s going to happen. Get up and get going! Look up and look about you! You’ll be awed.

So many times we keep our head down because we want to hide within ourselves. We’ve gone through so much that we’ve lost our oomph. Other times we are fearful of what we are going to see if we look up. Perhaps we want to pretend we are not present so that we do not have to answer for the need that is around us. We’ve lost our oomph.

Yet when Jesus comes,  when we commit to follow Him, His glory envelops us and we carry His presence wherever we go. We can look up and be radiant; our hearts beating as if to explode, joyous, and in awe. We get our oomph back. Why?

What God said He would do He does. He brings salvation, redemption, transformation, resources, provision, acknowledgment and His generosity will make your heart throb.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

That’s it, you see. We can’t possibly imagine what God has for us as His obedient children. We serve a God who gives. He gave His only Son for us. (John 3:16)

The gift of salvation through His Son Jesus leads us to sometimes think  that is a big enough gift. And yes it is HUGE. Still God is a HUGE God with a HUGE love that surprises us in a HUGE way.

Throb and swell! Brace yourself. God does what He says He is going to do. He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

God does what He says He is going to do, when we do what He asks us to do. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Bring the whole tithe (Malachi 3:10). Serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Go! Make disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy:

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I exalt you because You are a faithful God. Your promises are yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20). Forgive me for not being faithful to You in my obedience of your commands. Give me wisdom, courage and oomph to do what I need to do. I want to position myself to be awed, to swell and throb as I receive the blessings You have promised to those who obey You. Work in me the will to pray, serve, give and go as You have commanded.

We Carry Your Presence  Click on the link to worship in song.