The fundamental cycle of renewal in creation is “evening and morning,” a cycle of darkness culminating in light (Gen 1). The cycle is so basic, so ordinary to us that we hardly think of it, but it is theologically significant. For example, when John says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5), you have to remember that God is not borrowing an image from a world that existed before him, but revealing that he always intended to use the created order to exalt the redemption of his Son (for which “all creation groans” in longing [Rom. 8:22]).

While earthly existence is a cycle of life ending in death, existence in Christ is death ending in life! Evening and morning, darkness and light. The enemy rules the dark, but Christ owns and is the light. The “night coming when no one can work” (Jn 9) is the time in which we cling to the Word until “the day dawns and the morning star rises” in our hearts (2 Pet 1).

Think of the Resurrection: Jesus’ betrayal, trial of soul, and trial by the Jews all take place in the dark. The resurrection comes with the first light of dawn. With dawn comes the Redeemer—and the redemption of the world.

Each morning of your life is an intentional picture of Christ’s redemption and God’s renewal of all things. It truly is a fresh start. The mercies of God are “new every morning” (Lam 3). You want to take advantage of this moment, as Jesus did, “rising while it was still dark” and praying to the Father, literally, out of darkness into light as the new day arrived.

When I was a boy, and a worrier, my mother used to tell me at bedtime, “Don’t think about it any more tonight. It will all look different in the morning.” The wisdom of mothers. She was not walking with the Lord in those years, but she knew life, which is to say, she knew something of the world God had made. 

David said, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words” (Ps. 119:147). Out of darkness into hope. Let your morning devotional life be your declaration of hope in God’s mercies for you, new each day, Christ’s Resurrection, and the coming renewal of all things.