60 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

The prophet Isaiah called for Jerusalem to wake up. A new day is rising for Israel. The light of the sun was hot, but he was talking about the glory of God shining on his city.

I have had the opportunity recently to travel to Israel and see the sun rise over Jerusalem. Without a doubt you have the keen sense knowing that God still has his hand on the city. Like any city it goes about its day, but this city still follows God and his decrees.

Without a doubt the people of Jerusalem and all of Israel who is Jewish believe that there is a God, but the sadness that I felt in my heart is they still do not recognize Jesus to be the one true Messiah. They are still waiting and seeking.

Often times I see us in America still doing the same thing. People will say, “Oh, I believe in God.” But they fail to see Jesus, God’s Son. Jesus was the one who was chosen to take our place on a hill called Golgotha, the Place of the Skull.

I visited that location. It is a horrific site. Today a bus parking lot sits in front of it, but the images of the crucifixion are still there if you ask the Holy Spirit for Kingdom eyes.

All but one of the disciples failed Jesus at his death. They ran, hid, and wept. But the story does not stop there. These same men, all but one, chose to rise and faced their failure. How about you today? Have you been running? Are you running from what Jesus has called you to be? Today is the day of rising, men. Let’s not hold on to how we have failed, but choose to rise along side King Jesus!

Strength and Courage

Michael