“And you, my
little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because
you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the
morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in
darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of
peace.” Luke
1:76-78 (NLT)
I have been awake at dawn most of my life. It’s not that I don’t like to sleep, or can’t;
it’s just that the dawn attracts me like a light attracts moths. There is something so peaceful about this
earliest part of the day which clears my mind and calms my soul, even in the
worst or noisiest weather; this portion of the day reassures my heart and strengthens
my inner resolve for whatever the day will bring.
For me there is no dread or apprehension in the early hours; I am
most at peace at dawn.
And in writing about “the dawn” thoughts naturally turn to the
realm of nature’s rhythm and the sun coming up.
I do just that, but there is also that spiritual dawn
which is even greater and more life-sustaining than the physical sun’s light
and warmth.
The Song of Zechariah in Luke’s Gospel records the spontaneous prayer
of John the Baptist’s father, whose heart was exploding in praise for God’s
deliverance. You might recall that as an
old man he couldn’t believe he and his wife would ever have a child, so he was
silenced until belief dawned in his heart.
And when Zechariah finally believed, praise spilled-out like a gushing
fountain. Zechariah understood the dawn,
because he understood the shadow of the death of unbelief!
Believing God’s promise brings the dawn of spiritual life!
God had promised a Savior, and to Elisabeth and Zechariah he had
promised a son to be the Messiah’s forerunner, a voice crying in the wilderness
which would help people prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.
It was dawn breaking through, and it was time for the dispelling
of conflicts and doubts, the fightings and fears within, without. It opened the way for us to come to God just
as I am![2]
The dawn of nature’s sun each morning is a wonderful time of quiet
and contentment for me.
And yet, that just a pint-sized preview of this spiritual-daybreak
of the Son of God who gives me eternal peace, and sets my heart and life right
with my Creator.
For You Today
With Good Friday and Easter
Sunday coming up this weekend, spiritual preparation is necessary to properly
appreciate and celebrate what God has done for us.
Take time this day to let
the dawn of God’s goodness break on your heart; let your soul sing-out with praise
like Zechariah.
It’s a new day, and His
mercy is like a shower of forgiving joy!
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