On Monday the sun gradually disappeared before bursting into a stunning ball of flame around a dark center. As the moon shadowed it’s light, the shadows on earth changed. (You can see what shadows of leaves looked like in the picture above.)
I was amazed that God designed everything just right so that we could enjoy this marvelous sight with all its beauty.
Then, as the sun emerged again, it was incredible how rapidly its rays illumined the earth again and heated our planet.
As I drove home, I couldn’t help singing “How Great Thou Art” with tears as I thought how the God who holds the sun, moon, and stars in His hand, who lined them up with such perfection, became a man and died in my place because He loves me.
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
I was especially rejoicing in the last verse:
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!
Those who had been saying not to miss this eclipse were right that it was worth driving to see this stunning display of God’s creative beauty. But another eclipse will travel across part of the US in 2024.
There’s another heavenly event coming, however, which is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Someday soon, the Son of God will reappear in His glory.
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,
to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
It’s going to take more than special glasses to prepare for this event.
Will you be ready?
***** ***** *****
Jesus is coming, spread the glad word,
Robed in His glory with strength and His Sword.
Haste to be ready to welcome the Lord –
Jesus is coming again!
Jesus is coming, O what a day!
He has commanded we watch and obey,
That when He comes with glad hearts we may say:
“Jesus is coming again!”
Jesus is coming, sing and rejoice!
We do not know yet which day is His choice.
Ready your praises and lift up your voice –
Jesus is coming again!
Jesus is coming! Lord haste the day
When all your power and light you display.
Show us your way as we wait, Lord, we pray.
Jesus is coming again!
Christina Joy Hommes
