"In the
heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is
like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a
champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises
at one end of the heavens
and
makes its circuit to the other;
nothing
is hidden from its heat."
(Ps
19:4-6, NIV)
I was reflecting on some
great memories of hunting camp in Montana the other
day. I remember watching for elk in an
open meadow and reading Psalm 19.
Mention of a “tent for the sun” caused me to wonder about
tents after
staying in one for several days. What
is this about God pitching a tent for the sun?
Perhaps it’s worth considering that a “tent” is a
contained place where
the light is focused and where people meet for rest, fellowship,
warmth, and worship
(a “tent” in Scripture can often be translated “tabernacle”). A place for the presence of the SON.
Maybe the idea is one of covering, a protected
place where
God clothes us with Grace in Christ and
warms us to His heart. An environment
with atmosphere might come to mind for a scientist.
God gave us an atmosphere around the earth
for all of these “places” to be realized, protected, and enjoyed! And THE SON, the Creator of all, is above and
beyond the atmosphere He created. Even
in the image of a tent for the sun, neither the sun nor the SON can be contained by it----yet He chooses to engage
us where we are in the tents of our world.
I also gave some thought to the image
of the sun being like
a bridegroom, with the joy of running the course----the excitement and
delight in
doing the will of the Creator Father.
And the rejoicing, the loving excitement and delight, like
a bridegroom
looking forward to the consummating marriage with the bride…..His
church! The sun makes its
circuit. There is nothing stopping
the sun. There is nothing stopping THE SON.
DeLIGHT!!