“The Lord came from Sinai
and dawned from Seir upon us;
he shone forth from Mount Paran;
he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,
with flaming fire at his right hand.
Yes, he loved his people,
all his holy ones were in his hand;
so they followed in your steps,
receiving direction from you.” Deuteronomy 33:2-3a
“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.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:25-27
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult…
“The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:1-5a,19-20
Most awaken each morning to a new day, before or after the sun cracks open the darkness. With many pressures and troubles in the world hanging their gloom all around, the glory of our celestial sun is a comforting balm. Conflict and war between nations, disruptions in commerce, threats to life and livelihood, dissension in relationships, all welcome the dissipation of shadows and promise of hope. Decisions loom where we have no direction, needs pile up where there seems no provision, antagonism and turmoil fracture homes and workplaces where reconciliation, agreement, or even compromise seems impossible. But the splendid Lord arises, and shines forth.
And come the end of the day, when weary hours have passed, and the coming of night threatens to unsettle once again, a similar glory shines, reflecting the setting sun. The loving Almighty reminds us again and again He is the light of the world at every turn, everywhere in and encompassing the world as it spins in orbit, eternally bright in the resplendence and glory of His sovereignty that knows no measure.
In uncertain days, would I seek His bright grace? In the dusk of doubt, will I welcome His shine? In shadows of soul, would I draw close to His flaming fire? The more time I spend in His light, I see light and all it illumines. Rather than poke in the grey for the world’s antidotes, as God’s child I can bask in His light, and soak in His countenance and peace. I can join the radiant throng (Psalm 36:9)
Lord, may I rise daily to Your radiant splendor, and ever thrill and exult in the glory that is You.
As the rain and snow 