The Sun Will Come Out...Eventually!

Have you noticed how long it takes for the sun to rise this time of year—at least here in the US northeast?  Whereas, during the spring and summer I can be out for a run or bike ride by 6:30 am or earlier, with the sun having risen long before then, now at 6:30 am it is still dark. Thus, you won’t find me doing early morning runs or bike rides this time of year. I don’t really like going out on the roads in the dark. And, to be honest, it is a little harder to get out of bed and out of the house when it’s so dark. 

Thankfully, unlike some other parts of the world that have but a few hours of sun during their winters, here the sun does eventually rise and give to us at least 10 hours of daylight. I can only imagine how difficult it is to live in a place that has just a couple hours of sunlight. In fact, in some places (e.g. Iceland), the sun doesn’t rise for months on end! In every place, however, eventually the sun does rise again. (And in some places it doesn’t set at all throughout the summer. But that’s another story!)   

Isn’t it true that, it's not until we face a dark morning that we truly appreciate the rising of the sun and the warmth and light it brings. When we find ourselves walking the dog in morning darkness or coming home from work after the sun has set (as will soon happen to many of us), that’s when we long for the long sun-filled hours of summer. For me, it’s not so much the cold as it is the shorter days that make winter feel really, really long.  

The prophet Malachi wrote, “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.” (Malachi 4:2) The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) 

The Bible gives to us the promise that, in the midst of the great darkness that this world can inflict upon us, the people of God will experience the rising of the sun—called by Malachi the “sun of righteousness”—upon their lives. And from that sun will come healing, restoration, and the salvation of God. It’s a wonderful promise that has been given to us. Just when we thought we would never get out of the darkness, the sun—or we might say, the Son—rises! 

On the darkest of days, let’s hold onto the promise that one day, the sun/Son will rise again!

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) 

Have a great day!

- Pastor Tim Harris