SON RISE

With the days growing shorter as winter approaches, I was delighted to experience a glorious sunrise and sunset on the same day while at a retreat at one of my holy places on Canandaigua Lake. I am more of a night owl than an early riser, so noting that the sunrise was around 7:30 a.m. inspired me to get up a little earlier. This was the first time I had a room with a lakeside view, so when I awoke, I was greeted with the horizon bursting with red and orange color before the sun rose. Naturally, I had to go outside to get a better view, feeling united to God and the beauty.

 

A sail boater enjoying the sunrise on Canandaigua Lake

 

A glorious sunrise

 

I enjoyed the quiet, still atmosphere of being all alone in the grassy field overlooking the lake. Just God and me. It was a sacred time, watching the horizon in expectation as the sun came up. I wondered what specifically the Scripture said that I knew contained the words “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.”

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? –Psalm 113:1-6 (NIV)

What a wonderful reminder for us! One of our primary purposes on this earth is to praise the Lord all day long, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Think for a few minutes about the goodness of God in your life. The Lord made everything on this earth for us to enjoy. He made you and me in His image to love as He does. His glory is found everywhere. He loves and cares for each one of us.

 

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. –Psalm 65:8 (NLT)

Are you in awe of God’s ways that are above ours? Do you see how He brings people into your life, even if for a season, that impact your life for the better? When you see the wonders of our God working everything out for your good, doesn’t it bring you such joy that you want to share it with everyone you meet?

 

For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. –Malachi 1:11 (ESV)

God’s name has always been intended to be great among the nations. All day long, from the rising of the sun until its setting, God is to be praised. Incense and offering in this verse can also be interpreted as prayer and praise, respectively. Does your life continually reflect that?

After viewing the sunrise, I went inside for morning prayer. As we were praying and praising the Lord, I saw the sunrise come through this window. I was in awe of the beautiful glow that shone forth, reminding me of God’s spirit illuminating the chapel and us all. I can’t help but think this picture is symbolic of the Malachi verse.

The sunrise filling the chapel during morning prayer

 

As the sun appeared in the sky, made its ascent, and illuminated the sky, my prayer was that “The Son (Jesus) would arise more and more in my life.” In fact, I took this picture of my shadow as I turned to go back inside. It symbolized for me the Son, Jesus, filling me and reflecting in me, which is my heart’s desire.

 

May Jesus arise in me and fill me

 

These are the last words of David: “David, the son of Jesse, speaks— David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’ ” –2 Samuel 23:1-4 (NLT)

We are like the sunrise, shining brightly when we strive to live righteously, obediently following God’s ways and being in awe of Him. May our prayer always be to have the Lord’s Spirit speak through us as He leads and directs our words and actions. It is a privilege to share God’s words and love with others.

 

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. –Psalm 27:1-4 (NLT)

As I watched the sunrise, I thought about how the Lord is symbolic of the sun. Yes, the Lord is that light in our lives! He is our light and salvation. We should not be afraid because His light is leading and shining in our lives. We need to be confident knowing that through everything God is working it all out for our best. Our heart’s desire should be to continually dwell as one with the Lord, delighting in His goodness while praising Him.

 

It was a full circle moment being able to experience God’s presence in both the sunrise and sunset. From the rising of the sun to its setting, it was a wonderful day filled with His beauty in nature, as well as His presence and orchestrations throughout the retreat.

 

The colorful sunset

 

It was a God moment for me to receive this sunset picture the next day from a friend. It is from another holy place of mine at Lake Ontario. It took my breath away looking at the beauty. I couldn’t help but be in awe of seeing how beautifully the sunset colors were reflected upon the water. May our lives glow like this water as we radiate God’s beauty that shines forth from us.

 

As the water reflects the sunset, may our lives radiate God’s beauty

Be encouraged this week to…

…praise the Lord from the rising of the sun to the place it sets.

…be in awe of the wonders of God inspiring you to shout out in joy.

…pray that the Son will arise more and more in your life.

…shine like the sun as you live in obedience and righteousness.

…know that the Lord, the light, is leading you as you seek and delight in Him.

 

The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. –Ecclesiastes 1:5 (ESV)