Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. – Psalm 85:11
Sunrise and Sunset, most of us live our days between these two things. There was a time long ago, when it was necessary because the only good light source was the sun. Now, some people can operate with or without the light from the sky. We could choose to live our complete lives indoors, with artificial lighting. However, I don’t think that would be fun, plus we’d miss what’s in my opinion the 2 best times of day; sunrise and sunset.
We live our lives between these two moments, but when we stop and look and appreciate the beauty of those moments perhaps we notice something. When the Sun is rising over the horizon at sunrise, it seems the earth and sky touch at that moment, and the same could be said of sunset. Twice a day we are reminded that heaven and earth are connected, that as the psalmist says, “faithfulness springs from the ground, and righteousness look down from the sky” Those moments they meet are often the moments we cherish most, the moments when we give thanks for another day, starting or complete. Typically, those moments are spent with the ones we love most.
Sunrise and Sunset are also used as analogies for the stages of life, if sunrise is the beginning, is our birth; then sunset is the end and our death. All the time in between we live the days of our lives. However, again, it’s those pivotal moments of starting and ending that we often spend surrounded by family and loved ones. It is also in those moments when heaven and earth are most connected. I’m also reminded of the ascension of Jesus, as he was taken up to the skies to sight at the right hand the Father, and from whence he shall return.
To me, the psalmist is trying to remind the congregation, the faithful people of God, that each day is a reminder of the steadfast love and forgiveness offered by God. Each day we awaken restored to share love and kindness, and the end of each day is a time to ask forgiveness, to offer our mistakes and shortcomings to God, that we might grow closer in our relationship to him. Each day as the sun rises and set, are times to remember that our Lord has ascended into heaven and shall return to us. We need to be reminded that we are his faithful, who share in his righteousness. The meeting of righteousness and faithfulness is where God’s divine love is seeded, nurtured, and grows.
Today, I hope you can be reminded of the new life you have been given, the restoration that has come to you with the sunrise, and I pray you can enjoy a good conversation with God at sunset. In between, do your best to live into the steadfast love of God.
Grace & Peace,
Sam