Devotional – The Brightness of Your Dawn

Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60: 3

It was 6:15 a.m. and I was on my way to work. As I headed east on Washington Boulevard, I was struck by the awesome display of God’s handiwork when I encountered a beautiful sunrise in all its glory. It was quite breathtaking, but at the same time, blinding. Not only was it breathtaking, was ….pardon me as I coin a new phrase…sight -taking…lol. At the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Molynes Road, the traffic came to a halt at the behest of the red light, and I seized the opportunity to reach into my glove compartment. I needed to put on my ‘shades.’

As I marveled at the spectacle in front of me, the phrase ‘the brightness of your dawn’,  dropped into my spirit. I knew it was biblical, but I couldn’t remember the exact reference. But thank God for Google! I made a mental note to do some research as soon as I got to work. My research unearthed Isaiah 60: 3 which referred to the future glory of Zion. The light of God would come upon Zion. The light of God would displace the surrounding darkness because where light is present, darkness has to be absent. The light of God would cause Zion to be a beacon that attracted others to experience the goodness of God. They would come and taste and see that the Lord is good. 

There was another brightness that was mentioned earlier in the Bible. In Exodus 34: 29 – 35, when Moses returned from Mount Sinai with the ten commandments, his face glowed like the sun. It was so bright that Aaron and all the Israelites were afraid to come near him. Moses had been in the presence of God and it was evidenced in the glow on His face.

It stands to reason that if we spend enough time in the presence of God, we too will have faces that glow like the sun. When the light of God comes upon us, we dispel the darkness that is around us. As we become the light, as He commands us, men will see our good works and glorify Him. As Isaiah 60:3 says, ‘nations will come to our light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.’

Light symbolizes the holy God. It signifies His presence and favor ( Psalm 27:1 ; Isa 9:2 ; 2 Cor 4:6 ) in contrast to His judgment ( Amos 5:18 ). Throughout the Old Testament light is regularly associated with God and his Word, with salvation, goodness, truth and with life.

Let us endeavour to earnestly seek God’s presence so that we can be filled with His light, presence and favour. As we reflect His glory we will be His true representatives here on earth. As we serve others, our lights will not be placed under a bushel but will be set in a prominent place where all men will see them. Like a city set on a hill, we will not be hidden but we will proudly display the love and mercy of God to a world that is perishing.

Like the morning sunrise which could not be hidden, we who have spent time with Him will be on show for all the world to see. Our lives will be transformed as our minds are renewed.  This time, those who see will not be afraid. Instead, they will draw near as they want to experience what we have experienced. As a moth is drawn to a flame, they will come to the brightness of our dawn, seeking more. And as they come, who knows,  the glory may be so bright that they too, may have to don their ‘shades’. 

Reflect

In what ways can I be a reflection of the light of God?

How can I get to the place where I can be a reflector of God’s light?

Prayer

Father, you have commanded us to let our lights shine. Help us each day to find ways to do this. Help us to be true reflections of you as we spend time in your presence and learn from you. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.