Is it time for you to Rise UP?

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 

 

I spent the weekend in some deep reflection and contemplation.  It's good to do that from time to time.  As it so happened, I heard a song by Bruce Springsteen called "My City In Ruins" which is a prayer.  As I listened, I realized that throughout Scripture we are told over and over to RISE UP!  Take a look:

•  When Moses was 80 years old, he had settled into a comfortable anonymous life when God told him it was time for him to RISE UP and fulfill the plan God had for him all along!
• God told Noah to RISE UP and build the Ark.
• God told Gideon to take his tiny army and RISE UP to defeat their enemy.
• After years of being a slave, then imprisoned, Joseph probably felt defeated.  But at the right time, God told Joseph it was time to RISE UP and fulfill God's plan for him to save his family and forgive his brothers.
• When all of Israel was fearful of the giant, Goliath, God told David it was time for him to RISE UP and deal with this terror.
• When Herod was bent of destroying all the Hebrew children so Jesus would not become the King of the Jews, God sent an angel to Joseph and told him to RISE UP and take his family to safety.
• When the ten lepers came to Jesus seeking healing, Jesus told them it was time for them to RISE UP and be healed.
• When Jesus arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, he had already been dead for several days.  Jesus called Lazarus to RISE UP because his life was not over!
• When Peter's mother-in-law was terribly sick with a fever, Jesus reminded her she needed to RISE UP because she had a purpose to fulfill.
• Even after Jesus' death, Peter went back to fishing because he felt like he had abandoned Jesus and maybe, just maybe, he had followed the wrong man.  Jesus came all the way from Heaven to tell Peter to RISE UP because he had to become the foundation of the church.
• Saul had spent his adult life trying to destroy the Christian church.  Jesus has struck him blind.  Ananias had been in prayer when Jesus told him to RISE UP and befriend Saul.  After many YEARS, Jesus told Saul (now Paul) it was time for him to RISE UP and teach the non-Jews about the Gospel!

There have been times when I have felt lost and defeated. I felt as if I had messed up so badly that life, for me, was too far gone. Yet Jesus reminded me that it was time for me to RISE UP because His purpose for my life has not been fulfilled completely.

 

Is it time for you to RISE UP?  Think About That!