The Dawn From On High

Originally Posted April 14, 2020

This past summer we were at the beach celebrating our 50^th wedding anniversary with all of our family… 10 kids, spouses, and 38 grandchildren…. 59 total. It was a wonderful week. One day I was up early enough to see the sun rise. It was a beautiful and magnificent dawn. I love the passage from Luke 1:78-79 that the church prays every morning.  “ In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 

Too often we can find our self dwelling in “darkness and in the shadow of death”, whether it’s in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic, in the middle of vacation, in the middle of Lent, or the middle of Easter week. Maybe it’s the shadow or darkness of fear or worry or guilt or broken relationships or sin. 

Every day we need to start anew in the dawn of God’s compassion… a fresh day and a fresh start guiding us into the way of peace. 

Lamentation 3:23 speaks to this also. “ Because of the LORD’s gracious love we are not consumed, since his compassions never end. They are new every morning—great is your faithfulness!” 

We are familiar with the great old hymn based on that passage.

Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changes not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

So with each new dawn, let us look for God’s compassion, faithfulness, mercy and peace to find help in our time of need.  It’s waiting for us.