The God of Lights

Post date: Aug 31, 2018 4:49:49 PM

Grace and peace to you in the name of God our Creator and our friend Jesus Christ!

Did you see the full moon this week? Even though it has been quite warm in the evenings, it has been worth it to sit outside to catch a glimpse of its haunting beauty. My view of the moon rising begins with a faint glow amidst the pine trees. It starts low, and then as it rises, its light burns brighter as it begins to skim the tops of the trees. At last, it  it hovers majestically, seeming to command the night sky with its watchful gaze over the earth.

As I was sitting out back the other night, I waited patiently for its rising. I turned off the back porch light so as to appreciate better the contrast between light and dark. After a while, as one does in our culture of 24 hour social media, I got distracted by scrolling through Facebook and texting with friends. Finally, I looked up from my phone, and I was surprised at what I saw. The grass that had once been bathed in darkness was now flooded in a blue-white light. The leaves on the trees were shining too, fluttering ever so gently in the soft breeze. What a difference from shadow to light, and from what seemed like just a few minutes ago! I couldn’t help but think of a portion of our Scripture text for this Sunday:

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures (James 1.17-18). 

The Father of lights. 

The God of the sun, moon, and stars. The God who created us very good. 

In this God there is no wavering. In this God we only find steadfast love and faithfulness, having giving us new life through the word of truth in Christ Jesus. As one scholar said, “In antiquity the motions of the stars were thought to be eternal and, unlike earthly things, never subject to decay or alteration. God is greater than the eternal astronomical bodies because no type of change occurs in God. Consequently, God’s goodness will never change.”

Great is thy faithfulness, O God Creator, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.

Before I went inside for the night, I went out on the Great Lawn and took one last look at the moon. As I did, I thanked the God of lights for the gift of the light at which I was gazing, and the light of Christ that guides us every day. Great is thy faithfulness . . . 

In gratitude for the privilege of being your Pastor, and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish