Autumn changes are happening here in the northern hemisphere. Leaves are changing colors and dropping from the trees, and temperatures are falling. Time for sweaters and hot cider has arrived. “Burning Sun” doesn’t seem like an appropriate title for this season, but hear me out!
I’m spending two months writing with Day 4 of Creation in mind.
Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to Govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.
Genesis 1:14-19 NLT
We think of all the good that comes from sunlight, but there are times we wish it wasn’t quite so hot!
Consider this passage from James:
The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
James 1:11
Sunshine doesn’t only remind us of God’s faithfulness.
It also reminds us of the brevity of life and what awaits those who trust in the riches of this life to carry them through whatever comes their way.
This morning I spent some time in Psalms 49 and 50.
So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day.
Psalm 49:16-19
Wealth will only carry a person so far. Even if it carries them to death’s door, it can’t carry them any further!
Wealth itself is not evil. It’s simply a tool. Keeping the right perspective on money is imperative! Whatever God has put in our hands is given for us to manage for his purposes.
Then on to Psalm 50, where I was reminded of the burning sun.
From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Our God approaches, and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him. He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of his people . . . Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.
Psalm 50:2-4, 22
One day we will all be judged for the life we’ve lived on this earth. Have we been faithful to him, or have we gone our own way to do as we please?
There is hope, my friend! Read these verses from the same Psalms:
But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude
Psalm 49:15
We can’t ever buy our own way out of endless misery, but Christ has redeemed us with his own life!
How can we ever repay him?
Psalms 50:14-15 NLT
Psalm 50:14-15, 23
“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory . . . But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Today, if you still have breath in your lungs, you have an opportunity to thank God.
How will you start your list of thanks?
