Gaining Daylight

Hey River,

This is that time of year that we start to see the glimpses of coming out of a season of darkness and cold. I know it is still very cold outside (-6 this morning in fact), but a hope that helps us to hold on to better, warmer days is the gaining of daylight each and every day. Sometimes it seems like life can be very much like a winter season. We grow cold and dark in our walk with the Lord. The chill of life's circumstances and challenges can be enough to leave us hiding under the covers of fear or complacency; hiding from the world outside. The bible can be very much understood in light of the seasons we go through. During the autumnal equinox we start to lose daylight that culminates up until the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year. Then we start to gain daylight. It isn't noticeable at first but after a while we start to see signs of more light that propels us into spring time when new life bursts forth from the cold wintery death. The old testament was a very dark time with glimpses of light here and there from kings and prophets of the Lord. Up until the pivotal moment of the cross, it would seem like the darkest days of winter. And then suddenly, Christ rises from the dead and a new dawn rises. It gains light throughout the epistles and glorious age of the church. Isaiah 60:1 says “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

In Jesus we are always gaining daylight even in our darkest days- until that glorious return and we all shine with him forevermore, amen! 

-Joel

Song List:

We Praise You- Brandon lake- https://youtu.be/vVVXeKCg9w4?si=DWh23qGU25iUkfoU

My King Forever- Josh Baldwin- https://youtu.be/ClywI6Y7Yno?si=yO6eZcF5KbfZ6sxM

Always and forever/who else- https://youtu.be/I9I3qXbqJVs?si=_JMjgRd8mJMrhADs

Yes and Amen/Jireh- house fires- https://youtu.be/EI22G5YpVds?si=uZKvWpoyeXzDuUNX