The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. (Ecclesiastes 1:5)
I am truly blessed to live along the coast, with our home situated just about three miles from the beach. There is something about the ocean that I deeply love — perhaps it’s the vast openness, the gentle breezes, and the salty air that always seem to lift my spirits and bring me peace.
Recently, I woke up early feeling a gentle nudge from the Lord to head to the beach and watch the sunrise. As I arrived, I quietly prayed, “Lord, show me what You want to reveal today.” What greeted me was a glorious sunrise, bursting with bright, colorful shades of orange streaming through sparse clouds above the ocean. It reminded me of the Bible verse:
“The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
What a blessing it is to know that God’s love and mercy never fail. Each day is a new opportunity to start fresh, assured that His love and mercy will be renewed in us daily. Every sunrise is unique—never the same twice—just like each day God gives us is one-of-a-kind.
Some days are bright and full of hope and peace, while others may feel clouded, with storms that seem to hide the joy and beauty of the day. But that’s life. No matter the sunrise, we can always trust in the Lord’s unfailing love and overflowing mercy that never cease to continually pour over us.
Golf, much like life, can be a source of both joy and challenge. There are days on the course when I play well and enjoy every moment, much like when I witness a beautiful sunrise; it just feels good.
Yet, there are also days filled with cloudy skies and rain—both literally and figuratively—that leave me feeling frustrated and discouraged. Golf is a game that keeps you on edge because you never know what each round will bring.
But hope persists—the hope for a good shot, the thrill of a solid shot, holing a long putt, or even the excitement of scoring an ace. That hope is why we keep returning to the course, eager to try again and give our best.
In the end, no matter how the round goes or what the day brings, the sun will rise and set for each one of us. Ecclesiastes 1:5 reminds us, “The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.”
We can lean on the hope that each day, God’s love and mercy carry us through every moment. And with that hope, we can joyfully praise His name, “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3).
So, whether you’re heading out to the golf course or catching a sunrise, remember that God’s love is always present and available to us, filling us with hope and expectation as we live for Him.
As the prophet Jeremiah declares in Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your unfailing love and mercy that is constant and daily in our lives. Shine bright upon us and fill us with hopeful expectation. Amen.