God’s Faithfulness
The Sun Rises
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
I never grow tired of witnessing the beautiful display of the sun’s emergence over the earth’s horizon each and every morning. It has become an absolute that I can count on, yet it is also something that I take for granted. The sun’s warmth and energy is essential to our existence, yet I’ve never heard anyone say, “I hope the sun rises again tomorrow.”
The sun is not discriminatory in its light. It shines on the just and the unjust. It does not withhold its light from anyone. Just as the sun rises, it also sets. Midway between the earth’s rotation, it is no longer visible to some, yet it is still there. It is even evident in the night’s darkness as it reflects on the moon. So I know, that in the completion of the earth’s rotation, when it has come full circle, I will meet the sun in all its majesty, once again.
So does it take faith to believe that the sun will always rise and give its light? I would say, yes. If not, I would be worried every single day, wondering if I would see it again.
I am certain that it will rise each and every day of my life. What I have considered factual is thus considered faith. The SUN is an expression of God’s unconditional love and faithfulness. Just as the sun is a constant and remains established in its place, God, our creator is also immovable concerning His love towards us. If we can’t see Him, it’s because we have turned away, or circumstances (clouds) have blurred our vision. But God is still there waiting for us to turn towards Him so we can see His Goodness “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten SON so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but has eternal life” (John 3:16).
This reminds me of His Word concerning the Lost Son (Luke 15: 11-31). The father did not leave the son, but the son left the father. The father was patiently waiting for his son to return, and when he saw him moving towards his direction, the father joyously ran to greet him, enveloping him in his forgiveness and love. Just as we can count on the faithfulness of the SUN to rise out of darkness each and every day, we can count on the warmth of God’s love to greet us the moment we recognize He has always been there, waiting patiently for our return.
Jesus Christ who is the expression of God’s light and unconditional love took on the darkness of our sin and washed us clean in His shed blood.
“I have come as Light into the world,so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” John 12:46
Before His death on the cross He told His disciples that soon He would go away but that He would also return. In the darkness He endured separation from His Father so that we would not be separated eternally from God. After Christ’s death, He remained in the grave three days, but on the 3rd day as promised, He was resurrected to life and light. While we are sinners we remain in darkness and hide our face from God’s Holy light. But because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice we no longer have to remain in darkness but through faith in Him receive newness of life. We are taken from darkness to life. (Romans 5:8, John 1: 1-5)
And on that triumphant day, when He returns, those waiting patiently for Him,” will also be caught up in the clouds to meet Him in the air and be with Him forever” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3
By Mary Ahlborn
