Tuesday 28th November
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:9-10)(NIVUK)
Throughout this Psalm David contemplates the sublime magnificence of creation, with its dramatic contrasts and awe-inspiring majesty. In today’s verses he considers the vastness of the sea, and the daily spreading forth of the sunrise. He does this in relation to God’s all-encompassing presence with us, no matter where we may find ourselves.
Years ago, I drove to Coffs Harbour on a regular basis often leaving before sunrise. One of the lovely aspects of this was experiencing the transition from night to day as the morning sun filled the sky with its light. At first there would be just a suggestion of light and then bit by bit the morning’s glory was revealed. The description ‘wings of the dawn’ perfectly describes the soaring beauty of each day’s beginning.
Meditating on the glory of God’s creation should make us feel small, but not in a diminished way. Feeling small causes us to experience wonder and awe, helping us to see the fleeting troubles of this life in an eternal perspective. We may be small, but we are not insignificant. If the God who created this glorious universe know us and loves us, what have we to fear? His hand is ever on us for guidance and protection. We are ‘held fast’, kept safe and secure, and totally protected by the God who knows us completely. Just as he guides the rising of the sun and the tides of the sea, so he directs us. His hand is ever on us – we are not abandoned, but beloved.
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Ps 113:3 (NIVUK)
Karen Barklay
