What the Rising Sun Tells Us About God
Are you a sunrise or sunset kind of person? When was the last time you even took a moment to properly watch a sunrise or sunset? I love sunrises, although not so much in winter! Did you see the beautiful orange and purple sunset earlier this week? It was beautiful.
In my current Bible reading plan (‘Reflecting God’s Image: a 10-day devotional with Jen Wilkin’), I was reminded about God’s incredible mercy towards us. Lamentations 3:22-23 says ‘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.’ Just as each and every day we experience another sunrise and another sunset, so too the mercy of God is an ever-present reality.
We love to celebrate and thank God for this truth, and as Christians we also are called to demonstrate such mercy towards others. We need to not just receive mercy, but to extend it. Romans 12:1 says ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.’ Because of God’s mercy, we worship with Him with all our life. Because of His mercy to us, we forgive completely, for this is holy and pleasing to God. Jesus himself said, ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful’ (Luke 6:35).
Can I encourage you to take some time this week to properly enjoy a sunrise or sunset, and as you do, remind yourself about God’s mercy to you so that you might be able to extend it to others. Perhaps someone you’ve grown cold towards, or someone who hurt you in the past, or someone with whom you’re currently experiencing friction. Ask the Lord to restore in your heart a complete mercy for them. Just as God’s mercy is new each morning, let’s step into our days with love and mercy towards one another.
I hope you enjoy the sunrise or sunset. I pray it is a powerful and God-glorifying experience.
Emma
