Divine Images, part 2: the Sun

 

In my previous post on divine images I wrote, "God has not only furnished us with a world that speaks of His power and majesty, but a world also which is full of what Jonathan Edwards called “divine images”.   Because of the Bible, these things which God has created bear witness of Him.  With a Bible in our hands the world is - in a sense - transformed, so that everywhere we go we cannot help but think of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us."

When you look at the sun what are you meant to think of?

First, remember that the LORD's name is to be praised and to be praised from morning 'til night. "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised (Psalm 113:3)."

Second, remember divine glory of Jesus Christ.   When He was transfigured the Bible says "and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light (Matthew 17:2)."  When John saw Him he says, "and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (Revelation 1:16)."  And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire (Rev.10:1). Just think - one day we shall see Him!

Third, remember that there is none like God.  "That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me (Isaiah 45:6)."

Fourth, remember God's promise protection for His people.  Psalm 121:6 says, "The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night."  Isaiah 49:10: "They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them."

Fifth, remember - even when all seems bleak - that God has a people who shall fear Him and praise Him.  God says, "They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure (Psalm 72:5)."  "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19)."  "For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts (Malachi 1:11)."

Sixth, remember God's great power.  Job 9:7 says it is He "Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars."   In Joshua 10 we are told that God made the sun to stand still.  And in Isaiah God said, Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down (Isaiah 38:8)."   If He is for us who then can be against us?!

Seventh, remember God's holy impartiality.  "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45)."

Eighth, remember that the Lamb is the light and glory of heaven.  "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23).  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5)." We don't know much about heaven but we do know He is there. It is Jesus who makes heaven heaven.

Isaiah speaks of this when it says "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.  Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended (60:19-20).

Ninth, remember the coming glories of heaven for believers.  Jesus said, "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 13:43)."

Tenth, remember that Jesus has come to save sinners.  Against the backdrop of the darkness of our sin, the Bible says “the Sun of righteousness” will “arise with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2).”

Let us also pray that we would be as sun when he goeth forth in his might.  "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years (Judges 5:31)."

And let us also remember that day of the Lord is coming. On that great and terrible day the Judge of all the earth will do right.  On that day the sun and moon shall be dark (Joel 2:10; 3:15), and the sun shall be turned into darkness (2:31).  Jesus speaking of the last days said, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken (Matthew 24:29)." John says, "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood (Revelation 16:12)."