Temperatures dropped to -12 last night! And 3 days from now they're expected to reach 58! What is making the difference? Obviously the sun! Think of its impact on the snow (which, by the way, has plenty of nitrogen which will help the soil to prepare for spring.) In wisdom has God made all of these things. God is the source of all life and He uses the sun to sustain it by providing heat and light, both of which we appreciate more when they're taken from us.
The sun's daily movements show an order to the universe and provide a daily routine of life for all who live on this planet. The sun is "a point of reference in a predictable universe." It is a symbol of God's all-seeing eye, the judge and lawgiver, and His penetrating power. It's a symbol of our absolute dependence upon God for life and breath and all things.
Light is essential for photosynthesis and the growth of plants. And how difficult it is when we are in the dark and cannot see. "Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun." Ecclesiastes 11:7
And what great spiritual lessons God teaches us with the sun and its power and movements. Just as we benefit so much from when the sun "looks" on us warmly in its daily circuit, so also is it important for God to look favorably on us. He does that through Christ and our obedience and faith. "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." Psalm 42:5 "The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:25-2
"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light." Psalm 36:9 Not only does the light of the sun shine brightly so that we can see it, it also enables us to see everything else by its light, as C.S. Lewis pointed out so many years ago. "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Psalm 119:130 We can see God in His Word and through His words we can understand all other necessary things in life. Just as the sun provides heat and light to sustain life, God's "divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. . . ." 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
In heaven there will be no more need of the sun and the moon which God created for our good and His glory. "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light." "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." Rev. 22:5; 21:23
Thank God for giving us the sun and thank Him much more for giving us the far greater "Sun of righteousness," the Son of God Himself. He was predicted in Malachi 4:2 and glorified in Revelation 1:16-18 "His countenance was as the sun shines in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. And He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He who lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
--Pastor Burnside
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