Daily Devotion for October 19, 2005

God Makes His Sun Rise

 

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and there is nothing hid from its heat. Psalm 19:5-6

 

Of all the forces of nature the sun is perhaps the one that affects us most obviously and directly. So great is our dependence on its light and warmth that from the earliest times many have worshipped the sun as a god. Nowadays, of course, sun-worshippers tend to seek the sun on beaches and follow it south in the winter time! At the very outset (Genesis 1:16) the Bible makes it clear that the sun is no independent power; it was brought into being by God. But as part of creation it does point to the Creator.

 

The Psalmist speaks here of the sun in strong and joyful poetic images - rising in the morning and setting out on its daily course like a youthful and happy husband leaving home for his day's work, or like a powerful athlete springing from the starting blocks.

 

Without the light and heat of the sun life would be impossible. This psalm reminds us that behind the sun is God, the giver of all life.

 

The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty hand. (Addison)

 

Prayer
O God, how often do we complain when the sun does not shine; how seldom, when it is shining, do we pause to give thanks for its light and warmth. Help us to remember that all good gifts around us are sent from YOU, and help us to respond in gratitude and love. Amen.

---

Did someone send you this Devotion? Would you like to receive future ones directly? Click here to subscribe.

Want to learn more about the Bible Jesus used – The Old Testament – and the Bible Jesus taught?  Enroll today in Word Among Us – Cover to Cover study of the Bible starting in Genesis and going through Revelation including the inter - testamental period, using history and archeology and Biblical culture to make the text alive - taught by Tim Hetzner.
Class sites are across the USA. Click here for more information.

Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
		(866) 455-6466 • Fax: (866) 451-1476
		Web Site: lcc.LutheranChurchCharities.org
		E-Mail: TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org
At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom