December 12,1997
Dear Doc:
Have you ever watched a brilliant sunset? When, as a young boy, my parents enjoyed tenting on the beach near Holland, Michigan. There, looking west over the broad expanse of Lake Michigan, during the summer months, we would enjoy the fabulously beautiful sunsets.
After a long hard day of playing on the beach and swimming in
the warm water and waves of the lake, we would enjoy an early
evening picnic as the sun gradually moved westward.
The late afternoon clouds would turn a brilliant gold, then, as
the sun neared the horizon, they shifted from gold, to bright
orange, to crimson red, to blood red, as the sun disappeared below
the horizon, to light purple.
With the sky gathering blackness behind us, and the moon brightening
in the darkening sky, the few remaining high serious clouds would
catch the last rays of the departed sun. For a long moment, they
would glow with oranges and reds shining on their under surface
before rapidly shifting from dark red, to purple, then gray as
the last rays of the sun vanished behind China or some distant
westerly lands.
As the sun departed our part of the glede, the temperatures, on
the beach, dropped precipitously, until it was necessary to don
a jacket or light sweater, for the breeze would often freshen
after sunset, making the lonely beech feel cold and desolate.
The stars would come out, while the moon shown brightly. The few
birds in the area would sing their nocturnal songs, and the evening
revelers would sound forth with radios, laughter, and general
noise, but the beauty of the western sun still shown in my mind’s
eye, even 40 years later.
I love the beauty of the sky and earth, when under the hand of
the divine artist, who has left us such a record of lovely grandeur
in clouds and forest, sky and lakes, sun and trees. Such beauty!
Even now, the earth hovers between twilight and full darkness.
The Sun of Righteousness is rapidly fading from the earth to be
replaced with the deathly night of the darkness of evil. How sad
for those who are left behind when He departs never to return
save in judicial grandeur to visit judgment upon the unrepentant.
“Behold, now is the day of salvation.” We must linger
no longer on the beach, undecided between whom we shall serve,
God or Satan. To remain indifferent at this last crucial moment
in earth’s history, is to be left behind in perpetual darkness.
The last rays of mercy are about to burst forth in eternal splendor.
Are we watching or are we sound asleep to the immanent departure
of Christ from this world in rebellion.
How gracious of the Lord to paint the sky with hues of vermillion
for our enjoyment. How thoughtful of Him to clothe the evergreens
with perpetual spring as a reminder that, no matter how deselect
the winter, Christ has promised a spring time of joy.
Can we resist such a gracious invitation from our Savior to join
Him for dinner at His home? Only those with hearts grown cold
with indifference or neglect can spurn His merciful love. Only
those who have turned away from the splendor of the sunset to
savior the darkness, can resist him.
Are we death to His gracious invitation, blind to the splendor
of His person? Do we reject Him who has paid an infinite price
for our redemption? Will we cause deep grief to our greatest friend?
We must not neglect so great salvation purchased at the coast
of the life of Christ. Turn not away in indifference or neglect.
Let not earthly interests or cares prevent you from responding
to Christ while He is calling. Harden not your heart to His love,
open the windows of your soul to His voice that He may find a
companion and a heart softened to His words of love.
Christ is calling, is calling, is calling. Will you respond before
it is too late. Will you behold His glory, His lovely character,
His glorious person, who extends such love and hope, and mercy
for one who has spent a life time spurning His friendly invitation
to share supper with Him?
God loves you, dear brother, the hour is not yet too late, but
we know not how long the Sun may linger on the horizon. Behold,
now is the day of salvation.
May the Lord bless you, your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson