We’ve been enjoying a few days away from home, camping in the northeastern corner of Oregon. This morning, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise.

Sunrise over Tick Hill, Wallowa, Oregon

Last evening, we strolled along the banks of the Wallowa River. At our location, it’s a quiet, calming river. The river moves quietly along, flowing gently over rocks that make a soft rippling sound. It was a warm evening, and then, just like that, the sun slipped beyond the horizon. There was no stopping it.

Sunset over Wallowa River, Oregon.

As the sun rose this morning, I read in the Bible about the faith of Abel in the Old Testament, and Stephen in the New Testament.

I read how both Cain, the first born and Abel, the second born sons of Adam and Eve, gave a sacrifice to God. It doesn’t give details about what they were to sacrifice, but it says God approved of what Abel gave. Cain didn’t like it, didn’t like the correction God gave him, and some time later, murdered his brother Abel. Check out the story in Genesis 4. It’s sad and gives us a picture of  human nature, after the fall and how sin crept into the picture.

In the New Testament, the Bible talks about Abel and his faith: By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead (Hebrews 11:4).

Stephen was a follower of Jesus and when he was preaching in front of the Jewish Counsel, and told how Jesus was the Son of God, they were angered and dragged Stephen out of the city and killed him. While Stephen was dying, the witnesses wrote this: But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). Stephen died in faith and while dying, was given a glimpse of the resurrected Jesus in heaven. 

The stories of Abel and later, Stephen, were written because their faith. Their faith was observed. Just before he died, Stephen got a glimpse of where he was going–to be with the One he believed in–the resurrected Jesus.

What about your faith? Do others observe it? If something happened to you what would people say about you? Would they say you were a follower of Jesus and lived out your faith? Something to ponder.

One day, our faith will become sight just as Stephen saw just before he died.

As we drove over the Blue Mountains to our campground a few days ago, we listened to a song from Fiddler on the Roof. I’m not sure why, but whenever I hear “Sunrise, Sunset”, I want to cry. Most likely it’s because it speaks of the passage of time. Just as I witnessed the sunset last evening and the sunrise this morning, our world keeps moving forward. No one can stop the sun from setting or rising.

Time continues to move forward. Sunrise. Sunset.

“Thank you, Jesus, for the Bible, that tells us of the faith of others. May You observe my faith and be pleased. May others observe my faith and want to follow You. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

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