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“Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace”” (Luke 1:78-79).
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else." - CS Lewis
God is greater than the sun
- He created the sun (Gen 1:14-19)
- He has sovereignty over the sun (Ps 74:16, Job 9:7, Joshua 10:13)
- The sun serves as a sign (Luke 23:45, Joel 3:15, Mark 13:24-25, Acts 2:20)
- Someday, we will not need the sun (Revelation 21:23)
What does the sun reveal about God?
HOLY | all-consuming fire
- Unique moral purity and perfection
- if we get too close, burn up (unless we are covered by His blood & grace). Not because He's bad, but because He’s so good.
- "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23)
MERCY | Sun shines on the righteous and the wicked
- The sun shines not because of the objects that receive the light but because the sun shines. "That you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45).
- Just as the sun softens some materials and hardens others, the same God softens some hearts and hardens others.
FAITHFUL | sunrise & sunset
- always present even when we cannot see.
SPLENDOR | radiant & shining glory
- “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2)
- Moses radiant after spending time on the mountain with God
- "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:7-11, 18).
What does that mean for us?
- Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, may we reflect His light. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
- Our proximity to God is not based on Him. You cannot add cold, you can only lose heat. We experience winter not because the sun hides, but because the earth tilts on its axis away from the sun. God does not leave us. We drift. Our feelings can lead us to believe that He is not near, but nothing could be further from the truth. God’s presence is not based on our feelings. You cannot add godlessness, you can only get further from the source of life.
- May we draw near to His holy, merciful, faithful presence full of splendor. May we reflect His light as we go out in the world
