Welcoming the new day
Most days I arise early to complete my outside chores–feeding horses and pets. Depending on the season of the year (and daylight savings time) darkness may envelop me as I trudge to the barn or the sun has already burst over the horizon, flooding the day with light. Because I don’t have time to dally during my chores, I don’t often glimpse the actual moment of sunrise.
But this week, everything came together and when I exited the house about 6:15 a.m., a chorus of joyfully singing birds welcomed me as a golden band of light along the horizon announced the coming of a new day.
Oh! What a beautiful morning!
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. (Ecclesiastes 11:7)
As I walked from the house to the barn that glorious chorus of singing and the recognition of God’s gift of the new day brought tears to my eyes and joy to my soul.
Each day is a new beginning for us–an opportunity for a new start–a chance to do good, be kind, and show love to others.
But not everyone begins the day with sunshine and joy. Many face hardship and tragedy on a daily basis–conflict, poverty, food insecurity, domestic abuse, chronic disease, grief, or major health issues. And when we think of the people of Ukraine, we know they fear each new day may bring more destruction and death.
But God’s Word, expressed by the Prophet Zechariah in song, promises hope for the hurting in each new day . . .
“To give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:77-79
The darkness of our lives can rob us of our light. Isaiah the Prophet warns us to search God’s Word to find the solution to darkness:
If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land/ when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. (Isaiah 8:20-22)
But just as we know the sun rises in the morning bringing light to banish the night, our Lord Jesus came to banish our darkness. He brings us new life and light. In Him, we are a new being, filled with His love and light.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Many are experiencing darkness and distress. They’ve lost their path in the midst of political turmoil, economical calamities. We’ve experienced darkness, haven’t we?
But God’s Word tells us . . .
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
The disciples of Jesus were filled with darkness after Christ’s death on the cross. They hid in the Upper Room, frightened that they also might be arrested and killed. Their teacher, leader, and light was gone.
But the day of darkness passed.
The sun arose on another day, just as our Father had planned. Jesus returned and appeared to His disciples and spoke to them:
Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:22
If we are believers, Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit. We are like the new day–a new beginning, filled with His Light, as we seek to spread His love and light to others.
Can you share the light and love of Jesus with someone on this new day?
Prayer: Our gracious Lord, we are so blessed to be new in You–to have You as our Light. But there are so many still trapped in the darkness. We pray You will guide us in our journey to serve You, that we may be a light in the darkness. We pray especially for the people of Ukraine, that you will bring peace and light to their country and expel the darkness and evil. In Your precious name. Amen
Katherine, the rising of each new morning sunlight always reminds me of God’s mercies are renewed each day.
The falling of each sunset helps to remind me that today’s troubles are today’s.
Yet, those to short-lived moments are the most breathtaking.
I agree, Ben, both sunrise and sunset are usually breathtaking moments and a reminder of God’s marvelous Creation. So often God’s display of glory is beyond our ability to describe. I love your recognition that “today’s troubles are today’s.” It is wonderful that our Father grants us the mercy of giving those troubles to Him at the end of the day so that we don’t carry the trials with us through the night. In the morning, with the renewal of His mercies, the troubles don’t seem nearly as bad. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ben. Wishing you a blessed week.
“As I walked from the house to the barn that glorious chorus of singing and the recognition of God’s gift of the new day brought tears to my eyes and joy to my soul.” I could so identify with this sentence. There are days I sit on my back patio and just thank the Lord for eyes to see, ears to hear, a nose that smells the fragrant flowers, and that He is always with me. And yes, it brings tears to my eyes also.
As farm-girls, I think we’re kindred spirits, Laura, when we see the view from porch, patio, or walking in our gardens. Like you, I am so thankful for our senses, gifted to us by our Father, that allow us to experience fully His glorious Creation. We are so blessed. Thank you for sharing joy today.
Amen Ms. Katherine. The sunrises and sunsets always remind me of God’s presence in my world. His warm smiles, whether being kissed by the sun or the beautiful shades of gray that bring a stillness to my soul, each remind me that He is with me. In that, I can find peace, encouragement, and strength to put the worries of this world aside and spend just a fleeting moment focused on the Father. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to do just that with your words ma’am.
J.D., as we are both blessed to live where we can view sunrises and sunsets, we share that joy of God’s twice-daily reminder of His Master plan. When our Father set the Universe in motion and created Earth with just the right amount of everything needed for us to live, He established the day and night to provide the world and us with the light to live and the darkness to rest and rejuvenate for the next day. We take it for granted sometimes, but I am so grateful for this amazing planet we live on and God’s plan for us. Wishing you a blessed week on the ranch, my friend.
Katherine, thanks for this lovely post. God gives us so much to be thankful for. Birds singing and beautiful skies remind us of His creative power and that same power lives inside us. And we do need to remember to pray for those in distressing circumstances and lift them up to the Lord.
Thank you for joining me in prayer, Barbara, and for your kind encouragement. I agree, God provides us with so many blessings. Wishing you days filled with joy and sunshine this week.
Yes, many remain trapped in darkness. It’s heartbreaking. Thanks for the reminder that God desires us to spread His light and love to them.
Sometimes, I think we become so bound up in life’s challenges, we forget to be a light for Jesus and spread love to those in need. I know I’ve struggled the last three years. I’m praying we, as believers, can spread the love and light to those trapped in darkness. Wishing you blessings on your journey of service to our Lord.
Thank you for sharing this powerful message with us.
Thank you for your encouragement, Esther. I’m so glad you stopped by my website this week. Wishing you continued blessings in you service to our Father.
His mercies are new every morning. Wonderful images; wonderful words!
Thank you, Nancy. Aren’t we blessed that our Father grants us the mercies of new days and clean slates when we turn to Him in repentance? Great is His faithfulness!
Amen, Katherine! Christ has come to banish our darkness, and help us to start fresh each day! That must have been such a beautiful sunrise with all the birds singing to welcome it!
I’ve had early mornings each day this week and every day has been a joyous chorus of singing. It reminded me of the joyful singing and praise that will greet us in Heaven. Wishing you sunshine, joy, and a glorious spring, Kathy.
Katherine, I felt your joy walking out to the sunrise with the chorus of birds. Yes, we need the light of the Lord each day.
We’ve been blessed with some lovely days this week as Spring continues to show her colors. The birds are still joyous, as are we as we praise God for His creation. Thank you, Debbie, for your encouragement and for your ministry of service to our Lord.
God’s creation declares His character, His new mercies! Thank you, Katherine, for beautifully tying together these hope-filled verses.
Thank you, Annie. Your kindness, encouragement, and faithfulness bless me. Wishing you a joyful Spring!
Loved this: “Each day is a new beginning for us–an opportunity for a new start–a chance to do good, be kind, and show love to others.” I’m thankful for those new beginnings.
I’m grateful for those new beginnings, too, LuAnn. We are truly blessed that our Lord has gifted us with salvation and our Father grants us renewal and restarts (new beginnings). I’m especially thankful for those new beginnings after I’ve messed up!
I love that we can start fresh every day. The early morning hours are my favorite. Especially watching the sun rise over the mountains. God is so good and grateful His mercies are new every morning.
“Watching the sunrise over the mountain…” I know that is beautiful at your home, Jennifer. You are blessed–as we all are. Thank you for reminding us that God’s mercies are new every morning. May your week be filled with glorious sunrises and joyful days!
“Just as we know the sun rises in the morning bringing light to banish the night, our Lord Jesus came to banish our darkness.” Thanks for this reminder, Katherine — there is always joy to be found, even if we have to look a little harder for it some days.
I agree, Leigh, sometimes it is hard to find joy in days of darkness, but God sends it–we just need to wait and watch for His timing. Wishing you joy and blessings in your service to our Father.