Lesson 242 . May I Give You the Sun?

The sun is one of the most unique sources of energy, light, and heat. It hangs upon nothing, yet it is the center of our system and thus the firm foundation to which our planet is bound by invisible chains of gravity. Because of the action of centrifugal force, calculated to the millimeter, we neither approach the sun nor move away from it. The earth’s rotation on its axis is designed so that its surface neither overheats nor becomes too cold. And what is most interesting is that the gravity of the earth and the other planets also affects the sun, attracting it and altering the path of its movement. And all together we fly at tremendous speed into the infinite universe.

The sun is also unique in that it is compared with the beauty and constancy of God’s character, although the Bible forbids worshiping this heavenly body. Yet its qualities are very similar to Divine love, and this comparison communicates revelations about eternal love to us very clearly.

The sun always shines, regardless of anything. God Himself is the Source of this light. He gave this heavenly body its law and sustains that law by His power. According to our laws of physics and logic, the sun should have burned out and gone dark long ago, yet it shines without burning out. It seems to have combustible material within itself. Only God can do such things.

The sun is the source of life for the entire plant and animal world, sustaining it with its warmth, energy, and light. In its light, every object acquires its visible form and color in its true beauty.

The sun warms our world enough for that heat to last through the dark hours and sustain life on earth.

And we know from the Bible that the sun will shine throughout eternity, but at a time appointed by God, it will become much brighter.

Agape love, like the sun, possesses qualities of special power and constancy. It holds its souls very securely around itself, not allowing them to leave their orbits, yet not drawing them so near that they would perish from God’s glory and majesty. Love always exists; it does not end or pass away, and nothing can diminish its influence or its qualities.

It is the source and meaning of life for every living thing. In its light, everything begins to look right, beautiful, and wonderful—except sin. It is embedded in all the laws of nature and in the structure of the earthly microcosm. Every molecule is permeated with its laws of existence, and every atom bears the imprint of God’s love.

It warms the soul and melts the icy mountains in human hearts. We were originally created for love and for life in the light. The sun was created for man in order to give him everything necessary for life. Love, however, created man in its own image, after the likeness of God.

The most eternal law of the universe—to love and to give—was placed within man. And in all this, man had freedom of choice. He could live in harmony with the Creator, or he could choose another way, which, unfortunately, is what happened.

But the law of love remained just as eternal and did not change. God sustains all His laws of existence and watches over their constancy and harmony, for without them there would be chaos and catastrophe. If the sun were switched off, what would happen? We would fly away into darkness and die very quickly.

If love were removed, we would scatter into tiny atoms and simply cease to exist anywhere. And in spite of all this, we manage to rebel against God, take offense at Him, and shake our little fists at Heaven. Yet His love for us remains constant, deep, and unchanging. He cannot relate to us in any other way. We are His creation; we are the living embodiment of His creative thought. And He is only waiting for us to notice Him, turn to Him, and come into harmony with Him.

May I give you the sun? Perhaps this phrase sounds absurd coming from my lips, but this is exactly what the Lord says to us when He offers us Himself—Himself, the Great, Eternal, Boundless, Loving One; the Sun of Righteousness, the Radiant Light, the Morning Star, the Source of Light. I cannot contain the sun within myself; it would destroy me. But God is greater than the sun, and He wants to live within me, and this will not kill me but revive me. The Lord longs for this and teaches me how it can be. And He has already come and stands waiting—not in silence, not in inactivity. He is waiting for my decision. What amazing love! What patience and respect for my choice!

Why is it this way? Why did He promise to come in other ages, but has come and now stands precisely before us in our time?

Our time differs from the past in that God has allowed all temptations to break loose and attack us. In this battle, it is possible to stand only by having love within and close personal fellowship with Christ. It is He within me Who works both to will and to do of His good pleasure, resists evil, and teaches me to love. Without Him I will not stand, no matter how highly I may think of myself. God Himself foresaw this battle, and He Himself gives victory to everyone who opens his heart to Him.

Satan serves those who accept him and turn to him for help and advice. He has a great army of demons, and they gladly help all who are foolish and desire to live according to the flesh. They provide every kind of service and steadfastly defend their territories, offering all their resources and strength in support. They love their subjects so strongly that they are ready to kill anyone who betrays them, and the demons serve those who are like them in spirit with all their soul. They have power to bewitch those who do not walk with God. They take the appearance of angels of light, but in spirit they are fallen in their nature.

These are the last days of our earthly history, and very soon everything will reach its climax, unfold rapidly, and end with the final victory of God’s love.

God knows how to conduct this war, and by His own blood He has already defeated the enemy of all righteousness. All that remains for me is to enter into this victory, put on the whole armor of God, and act through love.

Love is the brightest and most beautiful means of attaining victory. It is impossible to withstand it, just as it is impossible to withstand the sun, but one can run away and hide in the darkness.

Have you ever fought against the sun? Did you manage to defeat it? A funny question. It is just as funny when asked about love.

Love does not lose. It is the spirit of a victor. It attacks and conquers; it does not surrender and knows no defeat, and it accomplishes everything it purposes.

Then perhaps it is worth choosing love and giving it authority in my life—going through the process of learning and purification and joining the ranks of God’s victorious army?

And now God asks me, “May I give you the sun?”

And from His lips, these words sound very powerful. How will I answer? “Yes, Lord! Give it to me! I accept it! Thank You!!!”

And what should I do with it now? Please teach me. How simple and interesting everything is!

And silently, in my thoughts, the Lord invites me to visit this heavenly body. At first I am afraid, for I will burn up, but then I think: if Jesus is beside me, what have I to fear? He takes me by the hand, and we fly. How beautiful it is—what a boundless ocean of fire and light! We plunge into its very depths, and a new world that I had never imagined opens before me.

How many wonderful discoveries love has prepared for us! It is so frightening to approach it, and there is such a desire to run away from it; but as I plunge into this ocean of fire, I discover something great and inaccessible that I did not know before.

I release my grip on fear and fly forward to meet it.

Homework 242

1. In the light of our lesson, please read Ecclesiastes 11:7; Psalm 19:4–6; Genesis 1:14–18, 27; Revelation 1:16; 22:16; Hosea 6:3; Psalm 46:10; 1 Corinthians 15:40–44; 3:16–17; Deuteronomy 4:19; 1 Chronicles 16:11, 22; Genesis 32:24–28; Luke 18:7–8; Hebrews 12:28–29; John 17:22–23; and 15:4.

2. What thoughts came to your mind as you read this lesson?

3. Which thought from this lesson did you like?

4. Why is it so important in our time to know Jesus personally and have a close relationship with Him?

5. What role does the Holy Spirit play in my friendship with Jesus?

6. Do you think it is actually possible to travel to the sun with Jesus? If so, share how you imagine it.

7. How do you understand the expression “Sun of righteousness” in Malachi 4:2?

8. Can a person command the sun? Joshua 10:12–13.

9. How do you understand the expression “works that are done under the sun”? Ecclesiastes 1:14.

10. Do you believe in the literal fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 30:26?