Dear Friend, according to Isaiah 60:1, may the Lord's light shine upon you: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you." This verse takes me back to a childhood song I cherish: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine; let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. I won't let satan blow it out; I'm gonna let it shine!" Our children sang this song when they were young, and today, our granddaughter sings it too. What a beautiful song that reminds us of God’s light in our lives! May the Lord fill your heart with His joy and cause you to sing this song every day.

As the Bible says in Proverbs 4:18, "The path of the just is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until it reaches its full strength and glory in the perfect day." And as in 1 Peter 2:9, "The Lord has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." Yes, until we reach the fullness of His glory, the Lord continues to shine upon us. God is light, and no darkness can overcome Him. He desires to keep us in His light, in His marvellous light.

The Lord has called you out of ignorance, sin, and misery, bringing you into the light of knowledge, wisdom, and holiness, making you more like Him. As it was said about Jesus in Matthew 4:16, "The people who are sitting (living) in (spiritual) darkness have seen a great light." When Jesus walked this earth, people saw the light of God in Him. As John 1:4–5 declares: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Dear friend, do not fear the darkness around you. The Bible tells us that the world is filled with darkness, and deep darkness covers the people. But the promise of God shines brightly in Isaiah 60:2: "The Lord will rise upon you, and His glory and brilliance will be seen on you." During Israel’s festival of booths, the people lit four giant menorahs in the temple at night to remind them of the pillar of fire that guided them in the wilderness. These menorahs, placed high above the people, illuminated the entire city, flooding the Temple Mount with brilliant light. Likewise, God calls you to be a light in this dark world. Even as one person, you can light up the entire city where you live. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

My friend, you are the light of the world. God's light must shine upon you, for without Jesus, darkness cannot be overcome. In this world, darkness surrounds people, dragging them into despair. This is the work of the devil, seeking to imprison souls in darkness, like the dead. But Jesus has come into the world to give light to every human being. Jesus Himself declares, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Dear friend, are you ready to follow Jesus? With Him in your life, no darkness of this world can ever touch you. Let His light shine through you!

PRAYER: 
Dear Lord, I thank You for Your eternal and glorious light that shines in the darkness, overcoming all my fear and despair. Please help me to rise and shine with Your glory, reflecting Your brilliance in this dark world. Lead me out of ignorance, sin, and misery into Your marvellous light of wisdom and holiness. Let my life illuminate the paths of others, just as Jesus brought light to those living in darkness. Empower me to be the "city on a hill," visible to all as a shining light of Your grace and truth. Protect me from the enemy’s attempts to cloud my heart and mind and fill me with Your light of life. Lord, I choose to follow You, trusting that with You by my side, no darkness can overcome me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.