Moon and Sun

This morning on my run I had the awesome experience of gazing upon the setting full moon. It was still bright enough to make me stop and appreciate it's presence. However, this was only half of the gift. I was also aware of the early morning sun rising over the mountains behind me. It was almost as if I was caught in the beauty of God's creation. Full moon ahead of me and rising sun behind. It was a special moment. 

It is interesting that the scriptures speak of the sun and moon in many places. The skies speak to us of God's glory. 

Psalm 148:3 - Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars!

Jeremiah 31:35 - It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies...

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Great question!

The writer of Ecclesiastes asks such a brilliant question today: 

^"What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun?" - v.3

This is a question which has plagued people for thousands of years. What do we get from all the years of work? What purpose is there in working our hearts out in order to 'survive' and then die? It seems a little dramatic, but as he came to the end of his life, he was wondering what the purpose of his life had been? And then in order to try and begin to answer the question he looks around at the world and muses...

 ⁴ Generations come and generations go,
    but the earth remains forever.
⁵ The sun rises and the sun sets,
    and hurries back to where it rises.
⁶ The wind blows to the south
    and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
    ever returning on its course.
⁷ All streams flow into the sea,
    yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
    there they return again.

My 5 cents worth today is this:  Life will be monotonous and will lack direction unless we surrender to the will and purpose of God. I believe that God allowed me to be born and that God wants me to live my life for his glory and purpose. This doesn't make me a puppet, but rather a willing part of God's grand creation. I will not live forever, but I can testify to the Grandeur of a gracious God and trust my future days into his hands.

In some way the routine and ritual of the rising and setting sun, as well as the wind and streams around us, can be a calming reassurance that God's ways are purposeful and refreshing.

What do you think of these verses today?

Living in grace

D3LM3

Another reminder

 

One of the gifts of running is that you get to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and if you run early enough, then you have a lot of the scenery to yourself. Jogging along the False Bay coastline this morning was one of those special treats and looking at the majestic sunrise I was reminded of these words from Psalm 19.Sunri

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth." - Psalm 19 (NIV)

As you look to the heavens at night or marvel at the exquisite sunsets around you, may these unique gifts remind us of the Glory of God.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The Sun of righteousness

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty." - Malachi 4:2-3

The phrase 'sun of righteousness'  can only refer to the coming of the Messiah - Jesus Christ. In an age when pagan gods where considered to 'shine' and have 'wings' perhaps Malachi is using these words to reveal the superiority of the coming Messiah. Whatever his motivations, it is a lovely image to think of the 'Son's Rays' reaching out to each one of us. 

When we sing the great Christmas Hymn 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' this year, let us pause at verse 3 and remember that these significant lines point to Jesus:

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings (Charles Wesley)

May we experience the love and healing of Christ this Christmas time. Grace and Peace.


Living in Grace
D3LM3