Sunrise

      
     The the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.” Isaiah 4:5-6 NIV

     Because I am not an early-morning riser, I have missed the appearance of the heralding of a new day as the sun peeks over our ridge of mountains to the east. However, one morning last week, when I awoke early to make cheese squares for our school potluck, the Lord had a surprise for me.
     I peered through the glass insulating me from the heat outside which was already climbing up the thermometer. And then I saw that first light of day–at least for me. The sun pushing through morning clouds shot its rays skywards as I stood in awe of God’s precious gift. I paused to take in the beauty of a new day, majestic in appearance, filled with promise and possibilities.
     At last the moment had come when I could reflect on how the sunrise and sunset have reminded me of God leading His people with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night as they crossed the brutal desert.
     I describe the desert as brutal because I live in one, and the heat can wilt you. The dry air sometimes can suck all life from you. For the Israelites, the desert meant desolation, eating strange food, depending on God to supply both food and drink for them, and a gnawing uncertainty of where their final destination lay.
     Yet by the power of His hand, God’s chosen people thrived. Their shoes never wore out and they were delivered from their enemies. Water came from the rock to quench their thirst. Food fell from the sky to feed them. They escaped from their enemies on dry land as God parted the Red Sea for His people to cross safely and then He drown their enemies who were in hot pursuit with soldier and chariots.  The enemy spotted the dry land used by the Israelites and they charged ahead. But as they entered the path, the walls of water engulfed them.

The storm blows through

      Inbetween those great signs of God’s power in their lives, the Israelites lost hope. Fell into despair. Just like we do today. Inbetween the great signs of God’s power at work in our lives, we fall into despair when the trials, testing, or even just the mundane routines fill our lives. We wonder where He has gone. We question why He has abandoned us and ask for another sign of His presence in our lives.
     My hope is that while I am inbetween the sunrise and sunset–between the cloud of smoke and the pillar of fire–while the storms swirl, I will hang onto His promises and know that He is still with me and will never leave me. He is still working in my life to accomplish His perfect plan that I may reflect His glory to the world around me.

Sunset

     Where do you find the Lord between the sunrise and the sunset, between his cloud of smoke and pillar of fire?

     Reflecting His glory this week through His multitude of blessings:

     669) for Hubby returning to work after knee surgery
     670) for youngest joining us in church today and finding a friend; answered prayer
     671) for oldest completing school and heading on to graduation; answered prayer
     672) for making plans to celebrate the graduation
     673) for being able to attend home group as life settles into a routine
     674) for monsoon rains soaking this hot earth
     675) for scrubbing and cleaning to make our home comfortable as fall appears around the corner
     676) for a three-day weekend; so much to do, yet time to sleep in, stretching after a long night’s sleep
     677) for student’s polite waiting as he entered the visual lab and noticed me on the phone
     678) for oldest helping with chores around the house while he waits for job interviews
     679) for oldest’s boyish grin when we complimented him on his final project
     680) for exercise, eating wisely and losing weight–praise God
     681) for Christian praise music playing in my headphones to touch my heart with His love!
     682) for a sunrise, at last