Shouts of Joy

Last week, I looked out the glass door in our living room as the sun was setting and noticed that the clouds looked like cotton candy. Our sunsets are often vibrant oranges, purples, and reds, but this night the sky was filled with bright, pastel pinks and blues.

I went out to snap a picture, which I often do when I notice the sky. Each sunset and sunrise feels like a piece of art suspended in the sky. The beauty of it calls to me every time.

The next morning, while reading my Bible, I came across these words in Psalms -

Psalm 65:8
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.

I’m sure I’ve read them before, but that day it felt like I was seeing them for the first time. Those words - You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy - jumped off the page.

I could see it so vividly.

The sun rises and declares the glory of the Lord with joyful abandon. The sky is filled with wonder, the birds sing as they awaken to a new day, and the wind dances through the trees, inviting them to the celebration. The whole earth is joyfully welcoming the arrival of the sun.

Then, as the day comes to an end, the sun says I’ll see you tomorrow, but while you wait, may you be in awe as the God of the universe creates masterpieces in the sky for your delight. Once again, the sky explodes with color, and the glory of the Lord is on full display for all who take notice.

The dawn and the sunset shout for joy! What an exquisite gift from God. 


~  Melissa