"God Over the Rising Sun and the Going Down of the Same"
By Cyndi Moreno
He is God over the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same ~ Psalm 113:3
Here in Hawaii, sunsets are a BIG deal! Locals and tourists alike will pull off to the side of the road just to check out the sunset. People notice the time, stop what they are doing, and go outside for a minute just to catch the last glimpse of the sun. Sunsets are so beautiful here, and they never get old, but I wanted to know why even those who have lived here all their lives make a special point not to miss it.
Many people and places hold sunset ceremonies each night. A conch shell is used to signal that it is time to stop and reflect on the day. What did I accomplish? What acts of kindness did I perform? How did I show love to others today? It is also a time to think about those things we didn’t accomplish, the things we shouldn’t have done, or said or thought, the promises we made and didn’t keep, not in a condemning way, but as a heart check. As the sun touches the ocean, you then let all of these things go, so you can move forward refreshed and renewed, looking forward to tomorrow when you have an opportunity to be a little better than today. The thought of releasing the day with the setting of the sun is calming and peaceful.
What strikes me is the intention behind it; it’s not to just watch a beautiful sunset. What if we ended every day with a moment of intentional, purposeful reflection, not just about what we did during the day, but also spent time reflecting on God, who He is, and what that means. What if we took time to praise Him for who He is and the beauty that He created around us every day?
He is God who holds our days in His hand, the good and the bad. Praise Him because He is a perfect God who has us on His mind all the time. Praise Him because no matter what happens tomorrow, He is good, and He loves us. Praise Him for being God on the mountain and God of the valley.
One other thought often strikes me as I enjoy the beautiful sunset and reflect on God; the Bible says in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Living on an island, I can watch the sunrise on the Eastside and sunset on the Westside of the island on the same day. This concept, as far as the east is from the west, comes alive to me, and I can’t help but think about it as I watch the sun dip below the horizon. I am a child of God, and through the cross, my sins are forgiven, cast as far away as the sunrise is from the sunset.
He is God who created that very sun, He ordains when it sets and when it rises, and it declares Him continually. He created that sun to bring light into the world and to be a picture of His son Jesus the true light of the world. He is the morning sun that illuminates and makes things clear. He is a sun, a shield, illumination, and protection. All our days are in His hands, and He never sleeps. He keeps watch day and night.
You don’t have to live in Hawaii to watch a beautiful sunset or have a “sunset ceremony” of your own. How different would our lives be if we were deliberate with our intentions to focus on the beauty of who He is each night and let that knowledge live in our hearts and minds?
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for they pleasure they are and were created.” -Revelation 4:11
How great is His faithfulness,
Cyndi Moreno
ARH Staff