Renewed every morning

           One of our daily privileges is to look to the Lord for respite, rest, renewal and rejuvenation each day. And the result is rejoicing in Him because “although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16 ESV It is fascinating how so often in the midst of a dilemma, a problem, or a trial, God gives us rest and renews. We can take a deep breath before going on.

Sometimes A Light surprises the Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord who rises with healing in His wings:

When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again

A season of clear shining, To cheer it after rain.

         God does this daily. I notice it often and remember so well how Minnie and I were refreshed on those last steep hills on her journey home. We often had to “come apart and rest awhile,” but God renewed us daily—and He still does. Where does that “Light” that “surprises” you come from? God meets with us in His Word! How often we read our Bible and see how glorious the old truths are and how they grip our hearts. It’s the Light of the illumination of the Holy Spirit exalting Jesus the Light of the world.

         But this wonderful hymn says the “surprise” reminder comes “while he sings.” Aye, and that’s so true as we sing to one another and to the Lord in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” That’s because we are singing scriptural truths and God has put a new song in our hearts, even praise unto the Lord our God. Why is it “new”? It’s always new because it’s fresh and illumined by the Presence of God Himself who is always “there” (or shall we say “here.”)

Think of the rain and how the “season of clear shining” follows that long rain. Or how the spring follows the winter. Or how the morning light follows the dark midnight. Or how joy comes in the morning after a long night.

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue The theme of God's salvation, And find it ever new;

Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say, Let the unknown tomorrow Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing But He will bear us through: Who gives the lilies clothing Will clothe His people too:

Beneath the spreading heavens No creature but is fed; And He who feeds the ravens Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither Their wanted fruit should bear, Though all the fields should wither, Nor flocks nor herds be there:

Yet, God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice: For, while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

                                           --William Cowper, alt. From “A Quiet Heart,” Soundforth Singers

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7

“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

 “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

What are characteristics of light that illumine our understanding of spiritual truth?

Light enables us to see.  Our eyes are one of the greatest parts of God’s creation but without light they cannot see anything.  We must have spiritual sight also or we are blind and do not understand.  “. . . the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not. . . .” 2 Cor. 4:4   ^“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6 ESV  “ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,” Eph. 1:18 ESV

Light reveals what is there that had been hidden in darkness.

Light is antiseptic, especially the light of the sun.

Light brings life—through photosynthesis. 
 ^“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.   John 3:19-21

Can you add to this list or make comments about any of the characteristics of light??

Sunshine Today

        What did you think this morning when you woke up and saw that beautiful sunshine after "the worst snowstorm in history" or whatever it was?  ^-~)  The sunshine lighting up that beautiful white blanket of snow and beginning to thaw it is an encouraging thought, isn't it?  Did you thank the Creator of the snow and of the sun??    We are so-o-o dependent on the heat and light and movement of the sun.  Literally we would die without it. 

          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