“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”  | Isaiah 60:1-3

“I am closer than you realize, My love; My very glory is hovering over you. Even now I am binding up your broken heart (Psalm 147:3) and pouring My very oil and wine into you. I understand the things that have caused you pain, for I too was a man acquainted with sorrows and sufferings. Truly I know what it is like to be rejected and misunderstood (Isaiah 53:3). But now I am vindicating you, for I am your true Defender. Where man has looked at your outward appearance and has made judgments and accusations, I alone see you and know the intentions of your heart.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

“I am well pleased with you. Continue to lay everything before Me and stay in a posture of humility, for “I give grace to the humble but resist the proud” (James 4:6). Resist the urge to defend yourself or set the record straight, rather, leave it all in My hands. What is done in secret will be shouted from the roof tops (Matthew 10:27).

“I am well pleased with you, My beloved. I have seen the cost of what you’ve walked through, even when others have not. You have nothing to fear, for I am bringing forth My justice in your life. I will confound your enemies by the goodness and favor that I am about to pour out upon you. The very ones who have spoken out against will stand in amazement as I prepare a table of feasting for you in their very presence.  My extravagant goodness in your life will be on display for all to see. You will be a glorious crown in the Lord’s hand: a royal diadem in the hand of your God (Isaiah 62:3).

“I am bringing you into a season of blessing and recovery. Even as I have said in My Word, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). Continue to walk forward in My strength and confidence, knowing that I am lighting the way before you. Though the path I am calling you to can be lonely and painful at times, be encouraged. You are a pioneer, breaking up the hard ground for others so that they can come behind you and reap where you have faithfully sown. The path for many will be easier because of your obedience and faithfulness to steward well the call that I have placed on your life. You are storing up blessings upon blessings for future generations, and great will be your reward!

Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:
“The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death.”
So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
when the peoples and the kingdoms
assemble to worship the Lord (Psalm 102:18-22).

“I will give you the courage and strength that you need to continue on. My very light and glory are arising over you, even now. Take heart, as we continue to journey forward hand in hand; for many are called, but few are chosen. You are My warrior Bride, in whom I am well pleased! Arise and shine, for your light has come, and My glory is rising over you,” declares the Lord!