I missed a gorgeous sunrise the other day. It was during my younger daughter’s spring break, so my schedule was already a little wonky. Randy was home sick, which made it even more so.
I finally got outside to run just when the sky was finishing its glorious display. As I gazed at the last vestiges of gold and mauve bouncing off scattered clouds, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Beautiful dawns don’t happen every day, and it had been a while since I’d seen one.
This week of all weeks—when it seems like so much is going wrong and getting worse—I would have welcomed this visible reminder of God’s magnificence, creativity and immutability.
And yet, as I craned my neck to see the fading splendor behind me, I knew in my heart that even when the heavens aren’t displaying the glory of God in a way that meets my expectations, He is still very much on His eternal throne.
It reminds me of a Psalm I read a few weeks ago. Since dawn is my word of the year, verses that mention sunrise or dawn or morning catch my eye these days. The rest of the chapter seems timely, too, for many reasons.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord. (Psalm 113)
Whatever is going on in the world, at the gas pump and grocery store, in our churches and even on social media, God is sovereign over it. I can’t offer any commentary to put it all—or even a tiny part of it—in perspective, but I can say this.
No matter what happens, praising God for who He is and what He has done is always a good response.
From dawn to dusk. Come what may. Praise the Lord.
And, if given the chance, testify to God’s goodness in your life. For example, this Saturday is our 28th wedding anniversary. After all this time, Randy and I are still in it for the long haul.
Truly, God has settled this “childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.” And I couldn’t be more grateful.
♥ Lois
Even when the heavens aren’t displaying the glory of God in a way that meets my expectations, He is still very much on His eternal throne. Click To Tweet No matter what happens, praising God for who He is and what He has done is always a good response. Click To TweetP.S. I’m linking up this week with OneWord2022, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
44 comments
Thank you, God for the beauty we can experience at dawn & dusk.
You are so good to me, even in my mess!
Amen, Barb!
Yes, “Who is like the Lord our God…” “From dawn to dusk. Come what may. Praise the Lord.” I, too, will praise the Lord no matter what is going on in the world, in my world.
I glean lessons from my sisters as I ponder these fine words of 2022.
Me too, Linda. Praising Him with you today, my friend …
Happy Anniversary, Lois & Randy 💍
I love your post. But above all I love this sentence in your blog: “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap’
When Jesus sang these words on the night of His betrayal and arrest, it must have occurred to Him that in a sense He was the one who would be lifted from the dust of the grave to the highest place. (David Guzik)
So, praise the LORD: The caring, loving God who comes from the highest heaven to help the humble of the earth is worthy of praise 🙌
Thank you for your anniversary wishes, Aritha. I so appreciate your perspective on Psalm 113:7 … I’m praising God with you, my friend.
Happy anniversary to you and Randy!! This vibrant image and point will stick with me: “ even when the heavens aren’t displaying the glory of God in a way that meets my expectations, He is still very much on His eternal throne.” Praise the Lord!
Thanks so much, Bethany! Hope all is well with you, my friend. 🙂
What an encouraging post and great reminder. Today in Ohio it is quite dreary yet God is on his throne!. Funny when I first read this I thought your word of the year was dOwn, not dawn That could be an idea as we explore our words – what happens when we misread our word, Where does that lead us? I will have to suggest that to Lisa! LOL
That’s a fun idea, Jean. 🙂 Good to hear from you this week!
Happy. happy anniversary. Yes, it is such a comfort knowing God is in charge and on his throne. Which when I comprehend and focus on this fact, my only words are to praise him.
Thanks so much, Theresa. 🙂 I have the same response, my friend.
Happy Anniversary Lois. What a blessing.
Thanks, Paula. 🙂
Amen, He is on the throne. He’s written the end of the story. And that gives us some measure of hope because of His lovingkindness and wisdom and justice. But may He have mercy to those who are suffering in the process.
Now it’s my turn to say amen, Linda. I find myself praying for God to be merciful quite often these days … I’m so thankful that also is an integral part of who He is.
Last week on my way home, I stopped into a restaurant for a quick bite. I noticed a man sitting at the bar as the server took me to my table. He was still sitting at the bar on my out ninety minutes later. For some reason, I said, “You’re still here. You were here when I walked in.” That started a conversation that led me to testify of God’s goodness in my life. After listening to him tell me about his broken marriage that he wants to repair, he and his wife have been separated and living apart for years, the challenges with her mental health plus challenges with their son, etc., I said to him I won’t even begin to get into the details of my life but I can tell you Jesus is real. He is the reason I am standing tall today. We continued to talk for a bit and then he got up from his chair and said, Oh Yvonne, you gotta give me a hug. You’re amazing. I invited him to church before leaving. Because God has been so amazing in my life, I find myself daily testifying of his goodness whether I’m at a restaurant, the gym, and even the supermarket. Testifying about his goodness is as natural as breathing because he is the reason I am alive.
Happy Anniversary Lois. May God knit you and Randy together closer than you have ever been.
Aw, Yvonne … what a wonderful story. I’m so glad you heeded that prompting to stop and talk with the man at the restaurant. You’ve encouraged my heart today as you clearly encouraged his. 🙂
Lately I have been reflecting on our marriage and what a privilege it is to live together with a person, through all the ups and downs of life, challenging though it is at times. Sunset and dawn come together and the wholeness of God’s blessing becomes apparent. Blessings on your anniversary.
Thanks so much, Lory. I’m with you–it is a privilege to be side by side with the same person “through all the ups and downs of life.” I’m grateful …
Lois, wishing you and Randy a very Happy Anniversary!!! I love Psalm 113, it truly focuses us on God’s greatness in one short psalm of praise. I enjoy thinking of praising God from the rising of the sun unto the setting thereof-O to praise his name like that!
Thanks, Donna! Praising Him through the whole day would make such a difference in so many areas, wouldn’t it? Hugs, friend.
Beautiful scripture passage and update.
Thanks, Lauren. 🙂
Happy Anniversary, Lois & Randy! I’ve not visited Psalm 113 in awhile. It is indeed a timely one for these days. Verse 9 is very familiar to me, coming to my attention years ago when I was mother to one and dearly wanting to be mother of two. God heard my prayers and kept his promise. We have three children, now grown and married to three wonderful in-law children, plus three grandchildren as well!
Wow, Nancy … God definitely did fulfill verse 9 in your life. In His way and His timing, right? I am so thankful God knit our family together the way He did … two daughters adopted from China, now 20 and 17. 🙂
Happy Anniversary, Lois & Randy! Going the long haul together certainly gives us reason to praise God. In these days we are in, I am finding myself grateful for both sunrises and sunsets as they remind me of how God hems us in each and every day.
That’s a beautiful thought, Joanne … “God hems us in each and every day.” Now I have yet another reason to cherish the rising and setting of the sun. 🙂
This is so good! I love the reminder that “even when the heavens aren’t displaying the glory of God in a way that meets my expectations, He is still very much on His eternal throne.” And congratulations on your 28 years of marriage! I hope you have a happy anniversary!
Thanks, Lesley. Hugs, friend!
Sunrises and sunsets change so fast. Our house’s windows don’t give a good view of them unless we position ourselves in a certain way. Sometimes I’ve caught a glimpse of beautiful color in the sky and thought, “Oh, I bet the sunrise is pretty. I need to go look.” But by the time I finish up what I am doing, the display is over.
I’m glad God’s “dawn” is not like that. His handiwork is always on display in some way.
Happy anniversary! Congratulations on 28 years of marriage!
Thanks, Barbara! I can certainly relate to missing the display! And I agree about God’s “dawn” … I’m thankful that He is always doing a new thing.
Oh yes Praise Him!
Amen, Jan!
The verses you shared reminded me of this choral anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3joA-69PA
May you have a beautiful day! 🙂
The choral arrangement was beautiful, Brie. Thanks for sharing!
28 years of marriage is a reason to praise to the Lord! Congratulations to you and Randy. I love that we can always find reasons to praise the Lord, regardless of what’s going on around us. He remains the God of love and goodness.
Thank you, dear friend! And yes … there’s always something to praise God for, including His love and goodness. 🙂
Happy anniversary, Lois. 28 years is such a blessing. I love the beautiful words you wrote. Praising God through it all helps us to keep our eyes off our problems and onto the Problem Solver.
So true, Lisa. I agree … 28 years IS a blessing!
Happy 28th! I love sunrises and sunsets, and can relate to your disappointment at missing the show! Thank you for the reminder that God is always worthy of praise.
Thanks, Anita! I never used to pay attention to the rising sun until I started running outside. The scenery is so much better than in my treadmill room!
Happy 28th Anniversary, Lois! Thank you for the reminder that come what may, praise the Lord for He is worthy.
Amen, Lisa … He IS worthy! And thank you for your anniversary wishes. 🙂