Today I witnessed the changing of the guard, this age-old, unchanging event which takes place twice every day. It happens without fanfare, without pomp and pageantry, without the applause or the cause of men. But it happens nonetheless, and it is both magical and magnificent in its magnitude, mysterious in its solemn solitude and majestic in its quiet beauty. I had a ringside seat to this spectacle, with a perfect view and it didn’t cost me a penny. It was free, one of God’s many good gifts to me each day.

By now, you probably realize I am not referring to the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. To attend this changing of the guard this morning, I did not have to travel across an ocean. I needed only to walk out my front door and began my morning walk. The changing of the guard was already in progress.

The sky was brightening and the once luminous moon was now pale, fading fast while sinking slowly in the western sky. Simultaneously, in the east, the sun was just visible on the horizon, seeming to hover there as if waiting for the moon to fully recede so that she could take her rightful place in the daytime sky alone, without having to share her space with the moon. This is the daily changing of the guard, which I don’t always witness even though it is free and I do have a permanent invitation to behold this spectacle any time I choose to attend.

This morning I attended this changing of the guard as I walked in the stillness of the early morning, watching the changeover take place with grace and precision. For a time, they shared the sky as I walked, the sun and the moon, one rising as the other faded faster than it fell, so that I never saw it actually exit over the horizon. But this early morning changing of the guard reminded me of God’s constant watchcare over me, over all of us, over His creation, fallen as it is. This God ordained changing of the guard has been taking place since the beginning of creation.

“God made two great lights – the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the fourth day.” (Genesis 1:16-19)

In the evening, this changing of the guard takes place again with the sun setting, ceding her sovereignty of the sky to the moon, who inevitably takes her place in the sky as darkness descends. But the sun does not exit quietly by any means. Her sunsets are the stuff of legend. With the sky as her unlimited canvas, the sun leaves glowing streaks of everchanging colors, even incorporating any unsuspecting clouds into her work of art, until she departs in a ball of fire, in her final moments setting all the earth aglow while photographers and artists attempt to capture her disappearing work and poets write about her sunsets long after they have ceased to be.

Perhaps she does this because she is jealous of the moon and wishes to distract us from the moon’s quiet appearance in the darkening night sky, accompanied by a host of stars. When the sun does finally sink below the horizon, after putting on such a spectacular show, I am often surprised to turn and find the moon quietly ascending to her post without fanfare or fuss. Perhaps she is resigned to her position as the “lesser light.” Truly, her entrances and exits are far less dramatic than the blindingly beautiful sunrises and sunsets with which the sun announces to us all her daily comings and goings, her exotic arrivals and her fantastic farewells.

Still, I have to admit that there are many times I miss entirely this twice daily changing of the guard. That’s a shame because it’s free and wherever I am it is available to me. I just have to step outside and look up to be instantly inspired, encouraged and comforted – to be reminded of God’s constant presence abiding with His creation and of His sovereignty over it all. God is faithful. The sun rises every morning heralding a new day, a fresh start, another opportunity to know God and experience His love.

However, there are days I am unable to witness this changing of God’s guard because the sky is full of clouds or rain. So I do not see the sun rise and take her rightful place in the sky to watch over the day. But the sun rises even when I am not able to see her do so. Her light is blocked by dark clouds which cover the sky above me, preventing me from seeing the sun and feeling her warmth. But the sun is there, whether I see her with my eyes or not.

That is where faith enters in. On those days when I do not witness God’s changing of the guard, I can know that it still takes place. My Heavenly Father is still watching over me and over all of His children and all of His creation, even on the darkest of my days and nights. He does not leave me unguarded by day or by night. His light to the world is constant – the guardians even share the sky as they change places, ensuring we are never left alone.

I am reminded of Moses’s words to Joshua which are still true today –

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Yes, the sun rises every morning whether I see it or feel it or not. God is constant, I can count on Him.

“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

This morning I was reminded of God’s faithfulness to me as He gifted me with yet another new day – a day unspoiled, full of promise, potential and untold opportunity to experience His presence with me as I walked with Him into the unknown of what this day will bring. Only He knows what that will be. And that is enough for me. I am just thankful for the gift of being witness to the changing of God’s guard on this beautiful fall morning.

“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)

every sunrise/moonset and sunset/moonrise reminds me that this is so –

sincerely, Grace Day