Ye
are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light
unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16 KJV)
There
is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city
of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most
High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
(Psa 46:4-5 KJV)
When I began this
illustration, I knew in my mind’s eye how I wanted to
depict “A City Set on A Hill”. Beyond the initial concept,
it was as though I was only an observer as the
illustration developed. I could actually feel the
influence of certain songs, especially these words, “I
love His House, its where His glory dwells, the Gate of
heaven. I could see an Angels on Assignment. I began to
see His House set high on a hill …backed by all of
Heaven’s power and glory. The angel stands guard over the
“Church” …as watchman ready to do the bidding of those who
will inherit salvation. See the stark contrast of the
light as it shines in the midst of darkness. Your light
will ultimately affect those in the deepest of valleys.
With the rendering
complete, I began to ponder writing the Chronicle for the
illustration. The Lord began to remind me of Isaiah 43.
There He says, “When you go through the waters they shall
not overtake you”. Notice, He said, “when” you go
through, not “if”. At times, “light bearers” must come
down from the high places … take the light into rough
waters and lead captives out of darkness into the
marvelous light. Many who are in the valley cannot “look
up” to the hill from whence their help comes; we must take
the help to them. (Ps 121:11)
I began to see that a
“still” in no way could illustrate the full impact. The
river flows, it flows beyond the borders …as it flows …it
carries with it an impartation of all that is within the
light that shines from the City of God. As in Ezekiel 47,
the waters flow out from the house; healing everything in
its path. It carries prosperity, salvation and produces a
great multitude of souls. We cannot see the results down
river, but we do know that like God, the river is always
moving; ever changing and affecting all that have an
encounter with it.
How many of us are
willing to come down from the high places and shine the
light into darkness. How many of us will take seriously
what the Lord said in Isaiah 42:6-7? I the LORD have
called thee in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and
will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people,
for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to
bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit
in darkness out of the prison house. Though this was a
prophecy of the Messiah, we the church …we the people of
God are His hand extended in this last hour. |
