“A Time of Trouble. A Time to Shine” - August 22, 2024

“At that time Michael shall stand up,
 The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
 And there shall be a time of trouble,
 Such as never was since there was a nation,
 Even to that time.
 And at that time your people shall be delivered,
 Every one who is found written in the book.
 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
 Some to everlasting life,
 Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
 Those who are wise shall shine
 Like the brightness of the firmament,
 And those who turn many to righteousness
 Like the stars forever and ever”

(Daniel 12:1-3).

Written and sent out from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.

God bless you and may you have a great day!
—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

http://messiah-ministries.org

Transcript

Morning by Morning, August 22 – “A Time of Trouble. A Time to Shine”

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your voice in my heart, as I listen for Your leading, for Your sheep hear Your voice and follow You (John 10:27). ...

As I wait, what comes to my heart are these words: “A time of trouble. A time to shine.” ...

I’m drawn to the end of the Book of Daniel, to words written there, sealed up and “shut up” from understanding and revelation “until the time of the end” when “knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). There will come a day when these Prophetic Words are fulfilled:

“At that time Michael shall stand up,
 The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
 And there shall be a time of trouble,
 Such as never was since there was a nation,
 Even to that time.
 And at that time your people shall be delivered,
 Every one who is found written in the book.
 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
 Some to everlasting life,
 Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
 Those who are wise shall shine
 Like the brightness of the firmament,
 And those who turn many to righteousness
 Like the stars forever and ever”

(Daniel 12:1-3).

At that time to come, it will be both “a time of trouble” and a time to “shine.” Despite the trouble of the darkness of those days, “Those who are wise shall shine.” And in their shining with “the brightness” of the glory You impart, they will “turn many to righteousness,” who will also be given that same brightness to shine “like the stars forever and ever.”

Lord, let me be one of those who will “shine.” Even now, in the unfolding of time, in the advancing toward those days of both a time a trouble and a time to shine, be at work in my heart now. Get the darkness out of me; let Your Light shine in me. Cleanse my soul and awaken my spirit.

As Your Word commands by the power of Your grace, we are to be children of the Light--"blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom (we) shine as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of Life, so that (we) may rejoice in the day of Christ” (Philippians 2:15-16). You are “the Light of the world” (John 8:12). And because You abide in us and we abide in You, You said to all who follow You and allow Your Light to shine through us, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

Lord, lead me “in the paths of righteousness” now so that I can be among those who “turn many to righteousness” then (Psalm 23:3). Then “I will fear no evil” even through the darkest valleys and even “in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:4-5).

Every day now, between this day and those days to come, are days of preparation--days where Your Holy Spirit is preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts and in our world (Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3). Every day now and until those days to come, may I be a part of those You’ve called by Your name to awaken, to arise, and to shine:

“Arise, shine;
 For your light has come!
 And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
 And deep darkness the people;
 But the Lord will arise over you,
 And His glory will be seen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1-2)

Let me be one of those “found written in the book” You’re prepared to shine with an impartation and imputation of Your righteousness (Daniel 12:1). Do all that needs to be done in me now: Crucify my flesh (Galatians 2:20). Deliver me from evil (Matthew 6:13). Fill me with Your Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). 

No matter what times of trouble may come--in our world or in my life--may my eyes be upon You and by the power of Your grace, may the Light of Your glory arise and shine through me. “Christ in (me), the hope of glory”—Your glory shining through me and every one of the sons and daughters of God in Christ (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.