it's always sunset to sunrise with Jesus...

The chorus of this old hymn came on the radio the other day…it took me back to a time in my life when we would sing this in our youth missions organization in my church…
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For the darkness shall turn to the dawning,

And the dawning to noonday bright

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The more I pondered these lyrics, the more I realized a subtle Truth contained within them…
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It’s always sunset to sunrise with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…darkness to dawn.

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He walks with us through our darkness into the dawn. From sunset to sunrise, through the darkest periods of our life, Jesus is with us, He came into our darkness to bring His light, His glory, His power.
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:2)

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When Jesus walks with us out of darkness into His marvelous light, He wants us to tell others that there is hope for them. We have a Great Physician, a Savior who has transformed and healed our lives.
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Ask Him to give you His heart to see people set free from their sins and sorrows and to renew your desire to tell others of his life-changing power. Then, be His willing vessel to a waiting world.
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Our lives in our earthly bodies must be captured by the revelation of God’s unconditional love for us, demonstrated in the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus. This love is not merely a future hope. It is a present reality—now!  
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Just as light displaces darkness, Christ in us will displace what needs to die as we focus our attention on Him.
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In darkness there is no choice. It is light that enables us to see the differences between things; and it is Christ who gives us light. --Augustus Hare (1792–1834)

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Lord Jesus, thank You that it’s always sunset to sunrise with You. Thank You for walking with me through my darkest nights, shedding Your light on my life to show me that I needed You, my Great Physician, to heal my woundedness. Thank You for calling me to come to You and for Your tender mercies in my life. Lord Jesus, give me Your heart for those who are hurting, sick, and lost in sin, just as Your heart reached out to me in my time of greatest need. In Your Mighty Name we pray, amen.

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Look Up—meditate on Isaiah 9:2 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

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Look In—as you meditate on Isaiah 9:2 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
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Look Out—as you meditate on Isaiah 9:2 ... pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
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Day 14 of 31 days of encouragement...