All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.
Selah!
Psalms 66:4
My husband and I like rituals. One we practice at the beach is to stop what we’re doing to watch the sunset. We either settle in a balcony chair or stand by water’s edge to drink in the sight.
As spectacular as beach sunsets are, I enjoy more the moment following them—dusk. Dusk is defined as the state of partial darkness between day and night. Because our spirits cry out for sabbath, take advantage of the rhythms and pauses God creates for us.
Grow still. Watch as the pink, purple, or orange streaks of sky transform to smoky grays. Feel the air grow cooler on your arms. Hear the quiet. Bid the sun farewell another day, and soak in the blessed, muted blues of dusk.
As you relax, your lungs open and allow you to more fully inhale the serenity. The beauty. You sense the presence of God. Your heart pours out gratitude for His creation, for another day, and now a night.
Selah.
Selah is used seventy-four times in the Hebrew Bible and seventy-one times in Psalms. The term may be a combination of two Hebrew words: s lah, “to praise” and s lal “to lift up.” Some scholars suggest the word is derived from salah, “to pause.”
Selah encourages us to stop and consider what we just read, lifting our hearts in praise to God. Wherever the word appears in the Bible, the Amplified Bible adds “pause and calmly think about that.”
When we slow down our living, we witness wonders of nature that delight our hearts. Selah. Times to pause and praise the work God has done. Start with dusk this evening. It may not be at the beach, but stop what you’re doing and see the world as God does.
Ponder
- Blend sabbath into your life. Notice your surroundings when you walk outside today. What sights, smells, or sounds give you pause?
Creator, quiet us as we bow and sing praises to You.
When we slow down our living, we witness wonders of nature that delight our hearts. Times to pause and praise the work God has done. Selah. #sabbath #dusk Click To Tweet
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We have to work at finding quiet. Thanks for encouraging us, Candyce.
My favorite part, too! My husband often tries to rush off after the sun disappears. I remind him that it’s not over. The best is still coming. Then . . . the colors. Selah.
Barb. I like that! You just gave another analogy – the best is yet to come. My, how that applies to our life on earth when contrasted with eternal life. Thank you for showing me another reason for thanksgiving at dusk.
I relaxed as I read your words and watched as the sun went down. A calming post. Thank you!
How good to hear from you Luann. Your words bless me greatly.
Candyce, your words gave me a moment of much-needed rest. Thank you for such a beautiful reminder.
That means a lot, Annie! Thank you,
What a beautiful picture you’ve painted of sunset sinking into dusk! Thank you for your post that reminds us to pause and appreciate the beauty of God’s world. We all need to do that more often in this busy, noisy world!
It’s something we all struggle with, Kathy. Appreciate your words of support.
Blessings!
I love this! We stay so busy all the time that we forget sometimes to really take in all of Gods promises but I love the the idea of stopping to watch the sunsets thank you!!!
I get too busy sometimes to pay attention to the beauty that God surrounds us with, but when I do, I’m much more at peace.
I know you’ve been extra busy with wedding prep lately. You’ll be able to slow down a bit to rest soon.
Candyce, thank you for the beautiful reminder to pause and capture the Selah moment in our lives. I particularly enjoy the moments just before sunrise, when the birds sound their reveille.
Yes! I love dawn too. I’m not surprised you enjoy birdsong with your musical background.
Thanks you, Jackie.
As I read your message, it was if I was experiencing that moment of rest on the beach at dusk. Your words seeped into my tired soul and brought a moment of peace. Thank you, Candyce.
Thank you, Katherine. That’s what sabbath was divinely designed to do for us, bring us peace, joy, and delight as we connect with our Creator.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Selah is one if my favorite spots in scripture. I am with you on the sunset but also in the sunrise- a call to ponder God’s “good morning “ to me and His faithfulness as I start my day.
You’re right, Marilyn. Sunset is another one of those natural pauses we can find in God’s perfectly-ordered world when we pay attention. A time to praise Him and give thanks.
Thanks, Marilyn!
Right there with you Ms. Candyce. For me, I look out the west-facing window as the last vestiges of light shows the calves finishing up their least meal of the day. Their mamas circle around them, facing in all directions to protect against potential night predators. As the calves lay their heads onto the soft hay or grasses, you watch them slipping into unconsciousness. Soon, you catch yourself yawning. One more survey of the evening sky and turn the night watch over to the donkeys and God’s watch care over us all. They day is done. We rest peacefully in Him. Rest well precious friend.
That’s a beautiful scene you paint there. I can feel it, see it, and appreciate it. It brings me peace and rest just thinking about it. Thanks for sharing it with me.