THE SUNSET OF OUR LIFE

by CharlesRobey
(Trussville, AL USA)

"They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy"(Psalm 65:8)

Are you in the sunset of your life? If so, like this intro Scripture points out, are you shouting for joy? Yes, your heavenly Father may have just put these sunsets in place, as a sign of His love, as a sign of His power, and as a sign of His free redeeming grace, and as a sign to you that you are in His care, Beloved.

Have you ever just taken the time to observe a beautiful sunset? There is nothing more picturesque in nature than a sunset, especially if you contrast it with the other surroundings of nature, such as a roaring ocean, or a striking mountain range.

When you do happen to take the time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, what do you think of the day that is swiftly coming to an end? Do you reminisce the day and all the activity it has brought into your life? Or do you just dismiss the day, in contemplation of its ending beauty?

Just be sure that you don't let the storm clouds of evil spoil the enjoyment of this, God's sunset. Much like the established religious groups did in scripture (John 8:13), Satan’s evil mindset will surely attempt to discourage your thinking. However, if we will stand true to the Gospel, we will see positive results. (John 8:30)

In the biblical calendar perspective, the moment the sun goes down, the day is over. Whatever had happened that day now belongs to the past, to yesterday's happiness or sorrow, whichever the case may be. In other words, the moment the sun goes down, the day is over, the old day is over along with our past. As much as we would like to oftentimes, we cannot undo what was done.

Whatever happened in our life now belongs to the past. The events of our old life now belong to yesterday. The mistakes of our lives, the problems, the sins we may have committed, along with the fears, the shames, and the guilt belong to that day which is no more.

Yes, the sun has set on that person that you were yesterday, and no going back. When Jesus came into the world, He said He was the light of the world. (John 8:12) However, He came into a world of sin and darkness. And when He died for our sins on the cross of Calvary, it was, in fact, the sunset of mankind. But when He rose on the third day, a new day dawned. A new sunrise appeared. We in Christendom label this chain of events the full gospel. (1 Cor 15:1-4)

Just like the dire events of the day is the sin in our lives. When we accept God's free grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), the old things pass away, behold all things become new. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Cor. 5:17) The old day is past history, the new day is here to stay.

The mistakes of our lives, the problems, the sins, the fears, the shame, the guilt, they belong to that which is no more. The sun has set on the old, and will now rise on the new.

If we will but let the sun set on our life and die to the world of sin, we will be free to rise again with Jesus in a new dawn, a new day. (Isaiah 43:18) Just let the sun set on all your life that is old, by letting all that which has been become yesterday and move into the future, the sunrise of Jesus.

Author's Postscript

Have you ever noticed how the sun seems to change as it sets on the horizon? It just seems to melt away as it moves downward. At times the sun appears to be obscured by mountains, trees, and the buildings of the city. The landscape may seem to change, but not the sun. Although a certain landscape may appear larger than the sun, in reality, the sun always remains the same. It is so enormous that no landscape can compare to its size.

Much like this scenario is our Lord's majestic nature. About two thousand years ago, Christ Jesus came on the scene declaring that He was the light of the world. (John 8:12) Civilizations have come and gone and kings have risen and fallen. Some of these nations have for a time seemed larger and for a time have seemed to obscure the works of Christ, however, in the long run, these demographics have passed into obscurity. All have changed except Him. (Malachi 3:6) He is the Son, the God-man who became human (John 1:1, 14) for the sake of the gospel. (John 3:16) His enormity is made noticeable by His unchanging Spirit. (Hebrews 13:8)

So, I say as Jesus did, walk while you have the light. (John 12:35). Before the sunsets in your life, you must believe in His light. (John 12:36). When you believe in Jesus as your precious light, when you follow Him as your truth and your wisdom and your way and your beauty, you have His life, you are “a son of light.” You are adopted into the family of light, and this light will never go out. In the moment of our death, when the world thinks all the lights go out, for you, it will be that beautiful bright sunrise of heaven. Amen!