The Sun Never Sets

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the Lord be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)

The British Empire once boasted that “the sun never sets on the British Empire.” The idea, of course, was that the British Empire had extended itself so much throughout the world that the sun was always shining on at least some portion of it. Things have changed. The Empire is not what it once was.

There is a similar truth now. The sun never sets on the Christian church. That is not a boast but a praise. It means simply that the hope the psalmist expressed has been fulfilled. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is now praised.

Of course, this does not suggest that the job is done. The missionary purpose of the church is far from being completed. We are much closer than we ever have been, but there are still millions upon millions who have not heard. There are still some places and some peoples who live in darkness.

What would the Lord have you do to reach those in darkness with the light of the gospel?

Lord, Help us not to ignore the question but to seek Your face and follow as You lead. Amen.