On the fourth day of creation, described in Genesis 1:14-19, God introduced the luminaries: the sun, moon and stars. These are essential features as they help to regulate days, years and seasons. God has all these lights hung in the heavens so their shine can brilliantly reach the whole earth. The sun is the greater light He created to rule the day, and the moon is the lesser light to rule the night. He also sprinkled all the tiny little stars to twinkle and light the night sky. These are the signatures of God’s hand. He spoke the word, and the luminaries came into order. Hallelujah!
We cannot imagine a bright night and a dark day. If it were, the routine of life would be topsy-turvy. Some people claim to be more nocturnal in orientation and believe they function better at night. The question is, would this go against the grain of God’s order and intention? Nights are best for rest and sleeping, and days are best for working. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “Work while it is yet day, for night will come when no man can work.”
Daylight is provided for working, and darkness of night is provided for good sleep. The light of the luminaries regulates our time for work, rest and sleep. Hence, if we handle day and night right, we will undoubtedly be the more effective and productive people.
Every day is important. We must work well in the day and sleep well at night so that the cumulative effect of life will be brought to its maximum. God longs to give us days of life. How we regulate our days helps to regulate our lives. The days then collectively go on to take months and years.
The earth’s rotation and her revolution around the sun bring the days, years and seasons. It rotates around an axis at a specific plane to regulate time. It also revolves around the sun to regulate the time of the year and seasons. Based on the movements, different parts of the earth will experience different seasons at other times. This is not a scientific discussion, so we shall not deal with this in detail.
The changes in the weather, ecology and amount of daylight are discernible in each season. There are four seasons in a year: summer, winter, spring and fall. Of course, we must remember the evergreen season. Here again, we conclude that God provides variety. Though man, the crown of God’s creation, would be created on the sixth day, this crown of creation would be wired up to adapt to the days, years and seasons. Our God had excellent forethought before He created us. How marvelous! How wonderful!
The world would be perfect had it not been for the fall of man. The environment and nature would be synchronised, bringing perfect temperature, weather and ecology. Today, even after that fall, though nature is not in perfect harmony, we still experience a degree of good functioning order. However imperfect as their function may be, we still see glimpses of the glorious hand of the great architect of the universe working behind the scenes. God not only created the sun, moon and stars but is also still sustaining them. We must learn to enjoy the beauty of the night sky and the warmth of daylight.
As God’s people, we must rightly and responsibly handle the earth and enjoy the seasons. Different seasons bring with them different challenges. As God’s children, remember to “Carpe Diem”! That is to take full advantage of each moment, seize the day and maximise our life for God!
Daily Meditation
Monday – John 9:4
We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
Tuesday – Ephesians 5:13-14
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
Wednesday – Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
Thursday – 2 Corinthians 6:2b
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” —
Friday – Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.
Saturday – 1 Peter 2:12
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Sunday – Romans 13:12
The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).
By Pastor Clarence Goh
