Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you. (Isaiah 60:1 The Message)
Fear Not… Then Wake Up!
After a day of excitement, I like to sleep. My deepest sleep-nights have been after a day on the roller-coasters, a disappointing last-moment election result, a nerve-filled medical procedure, or a sword fight with a monster.
After the fear is gone sleep comes easily.
But Isaiah sets an alarm clock instead. Jerusalem had undergone frightful military, political, economic, and personal tragedies. God both promised help, and provided redemption.
And then he tells them to wake up!
The ancient Greeks awarded laurels to winners of competitions, battles, and contests. But when the award ceremony was finished, the winners were encouraged to get back to work. And thus the warning against ‘resting on our laurels’ was born.
Isaiah says that even though God has HELPED… now it is time for us to wake up.
There is work to be done.
Fear not, then wake up.