The Names of God - Dayspring from on High

Dayspring from on High

Luke 1:78 (NKJV)

Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; …

Sunrise usually brings good news. A new day has begun; a day filled with possibilities. Darkness hides things, or causes things to appear worse than they really are. Dayspring is another way of saying “sunrise.”

When you are sitting in your house during the daytime and hear an unusual noise outside you go out and see what caused it. However, sitting in your house at night, especially late night or early morning, that same noise can bring fear and dread because of the darkness. You are hesitant to go outside to see the cause. Instead you begin to imagine the worst.

We do the same thing in our minds. When the Truth has not yet illuminated our thoughts we tend to respond to “noise” with fear and dread. We begin to imagine the worst possible outcome instead of considering better alternatives.

This was the case in the days before Jesus came on the scene. Here is the rest of the passage from Luke 1.

Luke 1:79 (ESV)

… to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Then the Dayspring from on High appeared! When Jesus, the Light of the World, began to “rise” in Bethlehem, His appearing fulfilled prophecy given years prior to His birth.

Malachi 4:2 (ESV)

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

For the first time in about 400 years The Word of God was once again speaking to the world. Truth was revealed about the nature and character of the Father. Jesus brought the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. The light of God’s plan had never shone any brighter. The dread of life was turned into joy because there had finally been given a reason to live.

I love the way Malachi said it, “You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” I spent some time on a farm during my college years and following. When an animal has been confined, then released, they celebrate that freedom by running around and kicking up there hind legs. This is the image given to us when the people in darkness finally see light. The euphoria that truth brings to confusion causes us to celebrate. No more dread. No more fear.

Jesus is still the Dayspring from on High. He is still illuminating hearts and minds by The Word given to us in scripture. The Holy Spirit abides in the believer to be “a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path.” (Psalm 119:105) Darkness makes travelling difficult unless you have a means of lighting your way. We have a constant source of “light” to give us understanding in every circumstance. Learn to hear His voice, regardless of the noise around you.

Confusion is the goal of the enemy in the life of the Believer. Doubt kills faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) The good news is that through the Covenant Jesus made with us we can live as overcomers, not because of what we can do, but because of what He has already done for us and in us. He came to give us everlasting light and life.

Learn to identify confusion, and when you sense it creeping in ask the Holy Spirit to show you the way back to peace. The good news is this: He will! Dayspring from on High is present in every day we live. This light is just given for you, but you are then used to show this light to the world.

John 12:46 (ESV)

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus wants each of us to shine the Light of God into our world to help lead others back to the Father. Now that the Dayspring from on High has changed your life, let Him use you to change others.