(This year, I am intentionally working my way again through Holy Scripture. As a part of that I am writing short rough notes as I journey through Scripture. These are random, fluid thoughts. These are not formal essays or written sermons. There are no citations and I often convey the thoughts of others that have read or encountered. These have become a part of my own theology and clearly I stand on the shoulders of others to see more clearly.)
Genesis 1:16–18 (RSVCE): And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness
Ever since I was a kid, I have always associated light with something safe and comforting and darkness with danger and confusion. I always wanted my mom to leave a light on, or at the very least crack the bedroom door so some light would show me there was nothing to fear.
I find the description of God's creation in Genesis 1 and 2 (note there are two creation stories here) to be comforting to that little boy inside of me that still wants to leave a light on. God created it all and is in all. God didn't create light and then leave a certain part of creation to chance in the dangers of the dark. The light of God which takes many forms rules over all - day and night. God even called both "good."
"Thou didst set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be shaken" says the Psalmist in 104:5. So that all that is in it - light and dark and the small corner of the world we inhabit should never be shaken. God is here and God is there - with us and for us even when we walk through the valley of the shadow. (Psalm 23).
It is a new year and 2024 holds many things. We can be sure until we see face to face that it will include day and night in more ways than one. But let's take courage for we know who made it all and who walks with us into all.
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