Things I Learned Growing Up That Maybe I Wish I Hadn't
That I have to see the Sun to Know it's Effect
Ecclesiastes 1:5 “The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.”
There were times as a child, particularly during the winter months in central Ohio, in which I needed to look outside to see if the sun was out. Looking back, it is such a ridiculous thing for man to do, but I remember doing it often. With the existence of watches and clocks, we are far removed from the need for sundials, yet how often do we look out to verify that the sun is out?
When we peer through the blinds, what is it that we are looking for? Do we look up into the sky—directly at the sun—to verify its existence for the day? The fact that the sun is out is apparent by the impact it causes on the world around us. I don’t have to look directly at it to see its effect on the rest of the world. For all intents and purposes, when I look at the illuminated world around me I see the sun.
In the light of the sun we are permitted to see grand colors and epic displays of creation. A painter could never imagine such a pallet—a penciler could only dream of such perfect lines. The color of the trees upon a mountain can, at times, blend right into the terrain around it—whereas just a few hours later, the contrast of the two makes it seem as though the trees are the star of the show. How could the same elements provide such a varying degree of delights? It is only by the light of the sun.
Under the cover of night, even with the moon's attempt to brighten the night sky, everything is one shade of gray or another. Objects seem to jut out from the surface with terrifying and unpredictable edges. Shadows seem to move as though they have a mind of their own, concealing the lovers of the night until they choose to be revealed—like a predator waiting to pounce.
The sun itself is an integral part of creation. Genesis 1:1-5 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”
The sun was important to the plan of creation but also in terms of typology: “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.” (Psalms 72:17 ). Psalms 89:36-37 “His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.”
Matthew 17:2 “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” During this event, commonly referred to as the “Mount of Transfiguration”, the Lord’s righteousness was allowed to shine brighter than at any time before or during His earthly ministry. The disciples could only compare His face to that of the sun. There was nothing brighter to compare it to!
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? -- He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn…Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; -- The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; -- The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
One day we will indeed shine perfectly as the heirs of Christ’s righteousness! In this life we should already be striving to be like Him—knowing that our future glorification has been assured in His deeds— and by His promises. We should look different in the Light beloved!
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
I Peter 2:7-12 “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
If we are born-again, the way we walk in this life is very important. The rest of the world should be able to peer through the blinds and tell that the Son of God is victorious by how He shines on and through us.
Psalms 113 “Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”
How are we shining today? Are we praising His name in the dark places of this world? Are we praising His name during the dark times we have been permitted to live through?