Sunsets at Lake Bruce are spectacular. Folks from Europe have visited Mahseh and could hardly believe the wonder. The sunsets are The Creator’s blessing; in this case, shown to rest on a natural 250 acre lake in the middle of north central Indiana. God and His sunsets have quite a history. The setting sun marked the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:12, 17). The exodus from Egypt was to be observed at the time God’s people left the African country: “at sunset” (Deuteronomy 16:6). Moses’ arms held out “until the going down of the sun” marked Israel’s victory over Amalek (Exodus 17:12). Israel’s territorial boundary included the western skies, earth’s star descending past The Great Sea (Joshua 1:4). Joshua 10 records a singular event: the sun’s stoppage from its normal routine, not going down until the Amorites were defeated.

The first three Gospels indicate what some might have seen as a defeat when darkeness covered the land at Jesus’ death: or as Luke says “while the sun’s light failed” (23:45). But God marks the greatest of His name by the sun’s setting (Malachi 1:11) even suggesting that while the sun set on Jesus’ life for three days “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings” (4:2). Revelation tells us that because of God’s Son, the sun’s light will no longer be needed (21:23).

“The sun knows its time for setting” (Psalm 104:19). The pinks, oranges, golds, and purples over Lake Bruce are refulgent tonight as I type these words. The One Eternal Triune Creator demonstrates His personableness by the sun that gives the earth light and warmth. His hand moves the celestial disk at will for His own good pleasure and that of His people.