Sunrises – Part 1
In the Matt Redman song, “10,000 Reasons” there’s a line that says, “The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning. It’s time to sing your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.” There is something quite amazing about a sunrise, a new day, the songs of birds and other creatures shout out and the light comes, breaking the darkness!
Luke 1.78-79 (Message) – Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God’s Sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace.
The picture below was taken in Colorado at the YMCA of the Rockies around 6am one morning, as the sun rose over some of the Rocky Mountains.
In Luke 1, Zechariah was praising God for the birth of his son, John, who would be a forerunner to Jesus – the true light. (In John 8.12, Jesus let us know that he is the light of the world). Zechariah gave credit to God for the light, the sunrise that was coming into the world that would shine on and into the darkness.
When we see the sunrise, it is a reminder that every day, God’s kindness and goodness is fresh and that he is in charge of the world. It is God who brings the sun ‘up’ each morning, that moves the earth around the sun and that is with you fresh and ready every morning. When we see the sunrise, we know that we have a God who is faithful, trustworthy, powerful, loving, kind and awesome! Our part is to respond to the light of God that he’s put in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and give ourselves fully to God to be used by him.
Isaiah 60.1-3 (Message) – Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness. Look up! Look around! Watch as they gather, watch as they approach you…
A Prayer: Lord, thank you that the sunrise reminds us that you are faithful and true. You shone your light into the darkness when you sent Jesus. Now, we have that light of the world in our hearts by your Holy Spirit who shines in and through us for your glory. Lord, fill me with your sunrise glory and light so that people see you and come to know you. Amen.
Sunrises – Part 2
One time I was up early walking the dogs. As I walked near a local hill, the hill was in shadow. But gradually, as I walked down the path and around, the sun rose higher into the sky. The hills that were in shadow gradually lit up as the red light touched the hills and then the light spread across them. The sunrise was spectacular and I was privileged to watch on.
Psalm 19.4-5 (Message) – God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome! The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
The photo below was taken on Bear Lake Road in the Rocky Mountains. Psalm 19 in The Message speaks of the sun like a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed or like an athlete running to the tape. This speaks to us of great joy, enthusiasm, love and purpose.
The awesome thing about the sunrise is that it is just the start of a journey, from one side of the heavens to the other as the NIV Bible puts it. Day by day (whether we can see the sun or not!!) it appears to voyage as it rises and then sets at the end of the day…
Psalm 19.405 (NIV) – In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
Each day God has given us a purpose. From the womb, God had a purpose for us. But each day, we will see this worked out as we go about our day, especially as we commit all that we do to God. He will give us opportunities to shine his light around to people you meet, to friends and family.
Secondly, Psalm 19 speaks about this purpose, passion and commitment. In Hebrews 12, we find the writer talking about running our race. Paul talks about being like an athlete and running the race that is in front. In 2 Timothy 4.7 he then says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Our passion should be to run the ‘race’ that God has set out for us. How do we do this? With eyes fixed on God and by asking him to lead us to do what he wants us to do.
Final thought is that we actually know now that it’s the earth that’s moving around the sun. What an amazing truth. We ‘revolve’ around the sun. Same is true as Christians – we live our lives around the son of God, Jesus. It is all about him. Revelation, the last book of the Bible is about the future, but mostly it’s a revelation of the awesome Saviour, Jesus. It’s in him that we live, move and have our being (Acts 17.28).
A Prayer: Lord, thank you that it’s in you that I live and it’s because of you that I live. Show me what I should be doing – each day and in my life. Thank you that you have a good plan for me, good works to do and a race planned out before me that I want to succeed in and finish. Thank you that the sun in the sky reflects the Son of God who shines his glory. That is my passion in my life. Amen.