No matter how many sunrises a person might witness over a lifetime, who could tire of the majestic spectacle, with its mesmerizing shades of lavender, scarlet, apricot, and golden yellow—all aglow with the backlight of the sun, and each dawn different than all those before.
I’m filled with wonder as the morning sky begins to fill with light and “the heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship”[1]. He is the supreme Artist.
My favorite sunrise-displays are those when clouds are positioned just right to create magnificent gleaming rays reaching into infinity.
Perhaps God inspired the prophet Malachi with just such a sunrise as he wrote: “The Sun of Righteousness [our Messiah] will rise with healing in his wings for you people who fear my name”[2].
Wings refers to sunbeams, bringing to mind the unending healing of God’s forgiveness, available to all who put their trust in Jesus. He provides for us the dawning of a new day as we choose to move out of darkness and into his marvelous light [3].
Sunrise is also God’s daily reminder that his faithfulness is great and his mercies begin anew each morning . Perhaps he wanted us to understand that his faithfulness to us is as certain and consistent as the sunrise, yet full of surprise and creativity as well [4].
The dawn brings hope, reminding us that:
- Just as the sun is bigger than any planet in our solar system, so God is bigger than any challenge we might face.
- Just as the sun always shines whether in full view or behind clouds, God is always with us whether we sense his presence or not.
- Just as the sun never fails to rise, so the Son will never fail to rise, bringing the light of his salvation, truth, and wisdom.
- Yesterday’s disappointments and failures are past; a new day with fresh blessings and possibilities has dawned [5]!
In addition to hope, fresh joy comes with the morning light.
But to see the dawn and experience its pleasure, a person must look at the sunrise. If we’re going to see joy and experience its pleasure, we must look to the Son, the source of joy [6]. Then, each day becomes an opportunity to live in wild, blissful amazement of God.
When you do witness a glorious sunrise doesn’t it make you smile—if not on your face, then in your spirit? We can augment that joy with gratitude—not just for a breath-taking dawn, of course, but for all the beautiful, remarkable, and pleasurable things God generously bestows.
Author Roman Payne wrote in celebration of the sun: “O, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth!” And surely we’d agree, a golden sunrise especially proves his point.
But just such a sunrise might better serve as a reminder to celebrate the Son:
O SonLight, more precious than all the gold to be found on Earth!
* * * * * * * * * *
I praise you, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for your light that is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! You are the source of all blessing, the brightness of our days, and our guiding Light to show the way. Without you, life is like twilight with dark night ahead. But with you, it is the dawn of morning with the light and warmth of a full day ahead.
(Psalm 84:11 PTP; James 1:19; 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 119:105;
last sentence based on Philip Schaff quote.)
[1] Psalm 19:1 NLT
[2] Malachi 4:2a
[3] 1 Peter 2:9
[4] Lamentations 3:23, and an idea inspired by Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, pp. 115-116.
[5] Philippians 4:13; Psalm 23:4; 27:1; 119:105, 130; Ecclesiastes 2:13
[6] John 15:11
Photo credits: http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.peakpix.com; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.rawpixel.com.; http://www.peakpix.com.
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What awesome photos of sunrise, Nancy. Thank You. Nothing can really compare to God’s creative beauty in nature. When I see a sky (like the one in your photos), I think of “God’s Paintbrush” and sweeping colors across His canvas.
Have a great day and God Bless.
Can you imagine the size of his paintbrushes and the pots of paint?! 😁
Awesome post…full of joy! Thank you for sharing this meditation and for the beautiful photographs as well. Very inspiring message…thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome, Linda. I’m so glad you found beauty and inspiration here–praise God! You and I were on similar wavelengths as we wrote this week!
This is a beautiful tribute to God’s gift of glorious sunrises! Thank you, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Nancy. It’s difficult to put into words the awe we experience in God’s wonders!
Where we live is highly wooded and down in a valley of sorts, so we can’t see the actual sunrise as depicted in the gorgeous photos here, Nancy. But when we’ve rented cabins in the mountains, we’ve been sure to get one with a view that will capture breathtaking sunrises – so many splendid memories for me!
But yes, just seeing the sky lighten in the morning reminds me of the fresh hope and renewal God offers to us all.
Blessings!
We now live in an area populated by many tall trees also, Martha. My best views come in wintertime, when the leaves are gone! But with you, I enjoy many splendid memories of sunrises in Florida, where we lived for 40 years. Few trees blocked the view then! And I never ceased to be amazed at God’s handiwork.
Thanks, Nancy, for the reminder of beauty which is new every morning–the reminder that His faithfulness is always great. What a gift to see such glory!
Amen, Dayle–to enjoy the breath-taking beauty of a sunrise IS a very good and perfect gift from our Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17)!
Magnificent and inspiration Nancy, even moreso to an old ragamuffin like me in his sunset years of life. Thank you.
Be Blessed!
Now there’s an inspiring thought, Fred: Those of us in our sunset years have the privilege of glowing with the Son from within, reflecting his beauty in spite of our age! “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art”–Eleanor Roosevelt. I dare say that true works of art are GOD’S workmanship!
Sunrises remind me to pray, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” God is so good. We have much to be thankful for 🙌🤍🙏
A beautiful sunrise and an uplifting scripture–no better way to start the day, Bridget! (Unless you add coffee!! 😁
What an uplifting post with gorgeous photos to accompany it! God is such a creative artist!
Isn’t He though? With Habakkuk I stand in awe of his deeds (3:2b). I know you do too, Vickie!
And . . . as night closes in, sometimes it’s stirring to think of sleepers waking to dawn on the world’s far side . . .
How marvelous to live on a planet book-ended with Light!
Amen to that, Laurie! I’m also encouraged by David’s words from Psalm 139: “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (v. 12). When the sunrise is slow in coming, I try to remember that GOD is Light!
One of my favorite parts of creation –especially over the ocean. So therapeutic.
No two sunrises are the same! We love capturing photos of the sunrises that God paints across the sky. I am always reminded of His grace and mercy as He gives me opportunity to enjoy His creation! Thank you, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Pam! You’ve developed a great habit–to let creation always remind you of God’s grace and mercy.
These pics are beautiful. One of my favorite memories of a sunrise was when we were in Maine. We rose early one morning and watched the sun come up over the ocean. It is an experience I will never forget.
You are so right, Barb: sunrise over the ocean IS a spectacular, expansive sight–such a clear view of the horizon!
Inspirational! I know the very act of looking up and outward lifts the spirit and what better way to do this!
Amen, my friend!
Yes Nancy, God always bestows generously. I love that Chesterton quote. He’s always good for nuggets of wisdom!
I like Chesterton too. He was such a prolific writer, producing volumes of work.
God’s sunrises take my breath away. I love them all. They are his gift to us. Loved your beautiful words and pictures.
Thank you, Mary. You’re right: Every breath-taking sunrise is a precious gift from our loving Heavenly Father. How gracious he is!
Such an uplifting post Nancy and a beautiful reminder of how precious each day is.
Thank you, Jo. So glad you found beauty here–praise God!
The parallels of the sun to the Son! Exquisite! And the section on HOPE was especially meaningful to me. The fact that He is bigger than our problems, that He is always near regardless of our feelings of woe, that He never fails to rise especially when we need His reassurances, and lastly – that each day brings a fresh start due to His forgiveness. Thank you for this! It encouraged me greatly!
Praise God you found encouragement here, Cheri. That warms my heart!
I grew up on the West Coast where the sunsets prompted the thought, “Thank you Lord for the many blessings of another day.” Your post makes me think living on the East Coast would be even better, where you can claim a fresh beginning and a day filled with possibilities. Not that you need either coast to simply praise God for his ever-present light!
YOUR comment, Dave, reminded me that when we lived in South Florida, it was just a three hour drive from oceanside to Gulfside. Our church’s youth group would enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic in the morning, then be bussed to the west coast for sunset on the water in the evening! They’d camp overnight at a sister church and come home the next day. Their kids would do the same thing, camping at our church on another occasion. They had a special name for the events–can’t remember what. But it did provide a unique experience!
An unobstructed sunrise and sunset in the same day; not many people can claim the experience. Wonderful! My three-month old granddaughter just dipped her toes in the ocean (Atlantic) for the first time on Sunday. In two weeks she’ll be in San Diego to do the same in the Pacific 🙂
Very cool! Not many people can claim that experience either!
Love the truth that the dawn brings hope and gives us positive reminders such as those you’ve listed.❤️ Great post of encouragement.
Thank you Alicia. I hate to think of where I’d be without the hope and joy God provides. Sunrise IS a glorious reminder!
Nancy,
Thank you. Yes, early morning are so memorable. Hope you are well. End of summer. Back to the job.
In Christ, Gary
Yes, another school year will begin before we know it. I pray you feel rested and reenergized for another year, Gary!
Thank you, Nancy. Enjoy your wonderful retirement.
Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring post about the wonder and glory of sunrises. I agree that they are a magnificent display of God’s creativity and grace. You have a gift for writing and expressing your thoughts in a captivating way.
Thank you, Supraja for your kind and encouraging comments!
Thank you for this beautiful post. His mercies are new every morning and we can find hope and joy in each new day.
Amen and hallelujah for that, Lori!
Thank you Nancy. I feel blessed to find this summer post. Being an “early morning” person, I look forward to witnessing each precious sunrise. Praising our heavenly Father for opening our hearts to His faithful presence.
I too love watching the sun rise in the summertime, turning the leaves to translucent gold. Outdoors in “God’s Living Room” (a Michael Hyatt expression) is a glorious place to experience his faithful presence!
“God’s Living Room” shares a welcoming landscape designed by our Creator. Nancy, thank you so much for sharing. God’s peace.