DAWN

Then shall your light break forth like the DAWN, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard – Isaiah 58:8

Let’s reflect on few Metaphors of Life, starting with the DAWN! The word ‘dawn’ refers to the ending of night and approach of the morning light; the breaking of the day. It is the “twilight” of the morning” (Psa.119:147); “the turning” of the morning, the change from darkness to light (Jud.19:26); “the eyelids” of the morning (Job 41:9); and “the ascent” or “rise” of the morning that witnessed the fall of Jericho (Jos.6:15). It is usual that the nearer the dawn, the darker the night. How you treat the dawn is most likely how you’ll be treated by the day! Beyond the natural dawn however, God births prophetic dawns in the destinies of individuals and nations: “We also have a the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day DAWNS, and the morning star rises in your hearts (2Pet. 1:19).

Isaiah 60: 1-6 is a classic prophetic illustration of a New Dawn: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…” (v.1). It speaks of a fresh start – another opportunity! No matter how battered, broken, and worn out you feel; God brings fresh light and hope! You can thank God for another sunrise! The people Isaiah prophesied to were broken, worn out, and longing for home. They had previously been stuck in a vicious cycle of trying and failing, until they finally became hopeless, thick in darkness. You might have wandered so far into the wilderness of the world that you can’t see a path anymore; every direction you turn seems strange and unfamiliar. You are not sure how to get back on track if you wanted to. That was Israel’s pitiable state. But somehow, God broke through the darkness and sent a message of hope to a weary world: “Arise! Shine! For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!”

The route to the reality of the New Dawn in Isaiah 60 is however found in Isaiah 58, the crux of which is this: God promises that we will break forth like the dawn if our piety produces a passion for social justice and practical mercy; otherwise our piety is worthless! The first five verses are an indictment of private piety without public fruit; devotions devoid of practical deeds; and rituals without righteousness. Their fasting and self-afflictions were religious covers for finding pleasure in unjust gain (v.3). The authenticity of our worship on Sunday is shaped by our social justice on Monday. The piety of Sunday must produce a passion for practical righteousness on Monday through Saturday. That’s what pleases God (vv.6-7; 9b-10a). That’s what draws down His Glory upon us: free the oppressed; feed the hungry; house the homeless; clothe the naked; and respect the exploited. These are the magnets for a new dawn. And they are the priorities of Jesus’ ministry (Lk.4:18).

At the threshold of a new year, the Spirit of God is proclaiming the possibility of a New Dawn! He is saying, “Awake from slumber. Arise from your doldrums. Wake up! Rise up! Lift up your eyes! Look forward and upward! Behold My Light – for in My Light shall you see light! Come into the embrace of My Glory! See what I am capable of; believe and be radiant! It’s a new dawn!” The light of the new dawn is bright enough for the people lost in their darkness to begin to find their way back. It does not matter if you’ve reached rock bottom in debt, depression or addiction; there’s hope! As you admit your past errors and acknowledge Christ’s Saving Grace, you can lift up your eyes and reach for the light of the new dawn. Arise! Shine! No matter how far gone you are, God is sending the light of a new dawn for you to follow. Give God room to be God in your life.