The dawn and sunset shout for joy

Psalm 65:8 (NASB)

And they who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Thy signs; Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. 

Worshipping the Lord is one of the primary characteristics of a sincere Christian.  The Bible is filled with verses that declare the need to worship.  One of the best passages on worship is Psalm 100.  Only 5 verses are used to describe the who, when, how and why of worshipping the Lord.

Who would not agree that among the most beautiful sights that the eyes of mankind can and will ever see are sunrises and sunsets.  It’s really a shame that people who live in the Midwest and its many overcast days do not get to see nearly as many sunrises and sunsets as those who live in sunnier climates.  A major reason why people migrate to the sunnier parts of the world is to enjoy more the beauty and glory of a sunrise and the beauty and majesty of a sunset. 

Have you ever thought of a sunrise and sunset “shouting for joy” as this passage states?

·  Practical meanings of “shouting for joy” might include

·  Gaining new or renewed perspective about your life.

·  Being overcome with what you are thankful for in and with your life

·  Being reminded of the incomprehensible power and glory of your Creator

·  Being stimulated by all the colors and myriads of sunrays to think in ways that you rarely think at any other time during the day.

The word “awesome” is used to describe people, events, and things that impress us.  Yet, frankly, the word awesome should only be used to describe God.  Job 25:2 says that  “Dominion and awe belong to Him”.  If God’s works are described as awesome as stated in this passage plus others like Psalm 66:3,5 and Isaiah 64:3, then how can any work of man also be described as awesome?       

I know that as I grow older I long for and understand better my need to worship the Lord.  Worship is never more remindful than gazing at a beautiful sunrise or sunset.  Seeing either of these over an ocean or the Grand Canyon or simply over the horizon from wherever you live has to stimulate your mind to think of the Almighty.  Unless your heart is cold and near death, witnessing an awesomely beautiful sunrise or sunset will remind you of the love of the almighty creator of this universe and you cannot help but shout for joy for who He is and what He has done.  Think of this phrase “shouting for joy” whenever you enjoy a sunrise or a sunset.        

“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness” -- Unknown

“If your eyes are blinded with your worries, you cannot see the beauty of the sunset.” -- Jiddu Krishnamurti