Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, essayist and philosopher once remarked: “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.” Luke 1:78-79 reminds us: “Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Dawn has been regarded as the daybreak of life. It is a time of being that generally awakens, it may enhance an entirely new perspective in vision and clarity of mind that encourages a new hope. It is often deemed as the stark transition from stillness into activity. The birds begin to sing a chorus in unison to welcome the new morn. After the nocturnal darkness of the preceding few hours, things begin to become clearer and more visible. Shapes can be identified and the reality of life forms into a firm structure. The dimness has been overcome with a brand-new and refreshing light. Romans 15:13 reminds us: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
In many respects, dawn can also be considered a calling. It may be a specific invitation from God to repent, join the ranks of servitude and follow Him. We may be awoken from the deep slumber out of a bed of sin that rots our souls, and deprives us of spiritual strength and comfort. We may cleanse ourselves by washing the body and begin to live a new day with Christ, making the best use of gifts and talents graciously bestowed for the benefit of others. 2 Peter 1:1-21 reminds us: “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
A prophecy and a spiritual awakening could be linked if they are truly from God. Whereas a prophecy is defined as a prediction as to what will happen in the future, a spiritual awakening is the realization that there is a greater power than mankind that allows certain things to happen. It could be said to be a special source of consciousness that allows for love within the heart to unfurl to its full potential. When sails on a yacht are raised to the pinnacle, the maximum potential of progression is achieved. The vessel gains momentum and increases speed as a result of the wind striking the sails. It creates a potential for a goal to be attained in a shorter period of time than usual.
As each dawn reawakens life, new possibilities are born. Ephesians 6:1-15 reminds us: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. “
It is an unfortunate factor that iniquity is regarded as a prominent feature in today’s world. It contains most of the pitfalls of life. It may become an endless vicious circle that encapsulates all of the harmful and undesirable elements of living. Hope becomes non-existent and the outlook remains bleak. Dark clouds cover the sky and the light is diminished. Thorstein Veblen, an American economist and sociologist once remarked: “Born in iniquity and conceived in sin, the spirit of nationalism has never ceased to bend human institutions to the service of dissension and distress.”
Light provides a welcome break from the darkness. With it comes not only a new day, but new knowledge, wisdom and energy. A new freedom may be found from the complexities and adversities that are so often found within its shell of nefariousness. Isaiah 58:8 reminds us: “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”
Amen.
