I've noticed that God will repeat ideas, verses, songs and themes throughout my life. Because I'm often too stubborn and unaware to get it the first time around.
I won’t tell you how many times that happens in a week.
There was a recurring verse in my life throughout last semester, and recently, it has come up again, causing me to ponder it once more:
"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
-Hosea 6:3
For so long, when reading this verse, my mind would instantly turn to the renewing rain, which, because I live in the Pacific Northwest, is a common occurrence, so I see it more often than not.
But today, God called to my attention the light.
I opened up a devotional written on this verse one morning, and this is what she had to say about this verse:
"...there's one thing I never fall asleep at night worrying about, and that's whether or not the sun's going to come up in the morning. It's a sure bet. And God promises that with each morning sunrise, He offers mercies anew and love unfailing... The beauty of these verses to me is that God promises us His presence. He promises that no matter what we are walking through, He will show up and He will be there with us."
Now, as I write this, I’m sitting on my couch under a warm blanket, looking out the window at a typical winter day here in Oregon- overcast and grey, blustery winds and pounding rain. When I read this part about the sun rising, I looked outside and thought to myself, "The sun’s not even out today, it's so grey and gross outside.”
But God gently whispered: “Look again, child.”
So I did, though I didn’t really know why.
And then I realized what I had missed all along.
Even though it is grey and gloomy and rainy outside today, there is still light. It may not be the piercing light that comes with the blue skies of spring and summer, but it's light all the same. The sun still rose, and though it's hard to see through the clouds and rain, it's still there.
It's like in our lives- even on the days where things simply seem bleak and cold and grey, there is still light. The sun still rises, and God is still with us, even when it seems hopeless and dark and we can’t seem to find Him anywhere.
He is still there, His light shining when our hearts ache, and our brains can think nothing but anxious thoughts.
He is still there, even when we feel like we’ve failed, or that we’re not good enough.
He is still there, His shining light and His comforting arms around the refugees of war, those searching for a safe place to take shelter when the world seems to be shutting their doors to them.
He is still there, His light shining through the cracks in the broken hearts, those who are aching with wounds deep and tears flowing down cheeks.
He is still there, when we're at our lowest point, when we seem to have hit rock bottom and can’t escape.
He is still there, when we have to watch sickness and pain affect those we love and we are helpless to do anything but cry out to Him.
He is still there, His light shining when we are caught in the cycles of our sin and shame, when it feels like it will never end.
He is still there in the moments when everything falls into place and suddenly falls apart and it just doesn’t make any sense.
He is still there, fighting for our souls when we feel defenseless.
He is still there in the midst of our tough relationships, when we just want to throw up our hands in defeat.
He is still there, His light shining and His love casting out fear in our hearts.
Though the time may be dark, and the situation may be bleak, there is always light to be found in Him, His glory, His mercy, His love and His grace. The sun will always rise, even if it is hard to see.
"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise."
-Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Each day, take time to notice the sunrise. Take a moment to stand in the rain. Take heart, for He promises us His presence. Let us dwell in that promise and hope today and everyday. Let the sunrise and the rain be daily reminders of those promises.
“As sure as the sun will rise,
And chase away the night,
His mercy will not end. His mercy will not end.”
- “As Sure as the Sun” by Ellie Holcomb
As scratched on the walls of an Auschwitz concentration camp:
"I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining.
"I believe in love, even though I don't feel it.
"I believe in God, even when He is silent."
