S) "23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb."
Revelation 21:23 (NASB)
O) This verse actually relates to the story of creation. That seems especially appropriate, considering that only a few verses earlier (v.6), God said He is the Alpha (beginning) and the Omega (end). The relationship, is that the light of the world, the light of creation, the light we need is not from the sun or stars, but from God Himself. It shouldn't be lost, that many early civilizations worshiped the sun, because they recognized the need for light, the dependence that crops had on light, the warmth and even just the general comfort from living in the light. At this point in Revelation, the first earth has passed away along with the first heaven, which i think also refers to the stars, moon, and planets, etc. (see also 2 Peter 3:10-13). But, just as the early peoples recognized the importance of light in their very lives, I think this verse (like the creation story) is reminding us that God Himself is our source of life. In Him, we have all we need of light, all we could want of light.
A) The first thing i thought, reading this passage, was of the correlation to the creation story (that God declared light before making the sun). But, the second thing I thought, was that there would be no bedtime! Perpetual day means no night, no night means no sleeping! I don't know if that's literally true, but the appeal of that possibility reminded me of another entry i made regarding my sleeping habits. Pulling all of this together, this verse is really a reminder to me, that I must find my satisfaction and life in God Himself. He sustains me, He gives fulfillment. One day, maybe i won't have to sleep, but what I do with my time in that place, is also beyond my imagination. When distractions are set aside, and I worship God with a pure heart, I often am reminded that there is nothing I'd rather be doing in that moment. In the New Jerusalem, maybe I'all do nothing but worship Him, and never be more glad than to not have to stop for any reason.
P) Father, thank You for this glorious promise! Hasten the day, Lord, that night never returns. Let me keep focus, that one day I will live in Your glorious, perpetual light. In the meantime, let me remember that my source of life, warmth, comfort, and revelation, is You alone. Let me be patient and disciplined, to sleep when I should, and to make the most of my days. Let Your will be done in my and through me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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