Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This week’s focus was inspired by today’s highly anticipated eclipse that is expected to travel through Texas all the way through Maine.

According to NASA, a solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light in some areas. This only happens occasionally, because the Moon doesn’t orbit in the exact same plane as the Sun and Earth do. The time when they are aligned is known as eclipse season, which happens twice a year.

Except for the fleeting moments of totality during a total solar eclipse, observers should always use eclipse glasses or an alternative safe solar viewing method, such as a pinhole projector, to view the Sun.

NASA projects today’s total eclipse to occur here in Dallas between 1:40 p.m. to 1:44 p.m., with the peak sun blockage occuring at 1:42 p.m.

What’s amazing to me is that people spend thousands of dollars and travel from all over the world to witness this less than five minute phenomenon.

The excitement over today’s eclipse peaked my curiosity to search the Bible for an eclipse. The scripture below is what I discovered.

Today’s scripture, Joel 2:29‭-‬32 (ERV) says…
In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, both men and women. I will work wonders in the sky and on the earth. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke. The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon will be as red as blood. Then the great and fearful day of the Lord will come! And everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved. There will be survivors on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, just as the Lord said. Yes, those left alive will be the ones the Lord has called.

Consider…
There’s a lot to unpack here, but I will only focus on three points…

• The Lord’s Spirit will be poured out on His servants
• The sun was CHANGED, not blocked, to darkness.
• Everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved

First, we know the earth revolves around the sun. And we know that the rays of sun fill the earth with light, energy, and warmth. Each day when we’re blessed to see the sun shining, we should remember to…
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights— His faithful love endures forever. the sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever. – Psalms 136:1‭, ‬7‭-‬9 NLT

As I think about the sun shining on us, today’s scripture highlights an even greater source of light, energy, and warmth, which is the Spirit of God. Have you ever wondered why Jesus referred to Himself as the light of the world? (John 8:12). Could it be because with light you can see everything clearly. Recall for a moment the sun shining in a clear blue sky, doesn’t it feel like you can see forever? That’s what, Jesus, the Light of the world does for all who believe Him, He allows us to see forever. And today’s scripture promises that He will pour out His spirit upon us who believe. Imagine basking in the light of the Son for eternity! 🌞

Next, the Lord tells us that He will work wonders in the sky and on the earth. This includes changing the sun to darkness. Although an eclipse blocks the sun, it doesn’t change it, rather just our ability to see it. However, today’s scripture says the Sun’s Creator (Genesis 1:14-19), the SON, will change it from light to dark.

By the way, it’s fascinating that both of the ‘stars’ of an eclipse were made by God on the fourth day. And that the larger light (sun) could be blocked by the smaller light (moon). It tells us that God’s sunlight has a narrow focus on the earth, and that although it’s larger, its view can be obstructed by the smaller light that He created. You see God uses the eclipse to remind us that like His Son, the Sun doesn’t change, it’s our visibility that is obstructed by the smaller things.

The Creator also wants us to remember that He has all power over creation and He can recreate when and how He chooses. Just as He changed the Sun to darkness, He also can transform darkness into light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) explains…
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

It’s important to always remember the Lord, our God, is Sovereign!

Lastly, about this change of the sun to darkness, the Holy Spirit wants us to have full confidence that although the Creator can and will change sunlight, His life-giving light won’t ever change. John 1:4‭-‬5 (NLT) declares…
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The last observation we can take from this Biblical eclipse is the link of faith to salvation. The prophet told us that on the great and fearful day, when the (permanent eclipse) will occur and signify the end of the world, everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved. It’s amazing to me that the Prophet Joel penned this fact, before Jesus the Savior ever came.

Yet, Romans 10:10 (NLT) says…
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

And Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) declares…
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

That tells me, God always had a plan to save us. In fact 1 Peter 1:18‭-‬21 (NLT) explains…
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

So today, if you take time to enjoy the exciting eclipse, extend your excitement to appreciate how it’s just a precursor to…

• When the Lord’s Spirit will be poured out on His servants
• How the sun will be CHANGED, not blocked, to darkness.
• When everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved

The more I think about it, the more excited I am about this eclipse, because it reminds me that the presence, spirit, and power of the Lord IS HERE! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Today’s Song…
The Presence Of The Lord Is Here

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)