The Morning Star Shines Brightly
Ngoc Huynh Bich · Oct 20, 2023
The article tells the story of Pastor Philipp Nicolai, who overcame tremendous trials and a devastating plague through faith in God's eternal love. He wrote the hymn "The Morning Star Shines Brightly" to affirm that nothing can separate us from God's love, and that Jesus Christ is the source of hope and light for every believer.
# The Morning Star Shines Forth
Pastor Philipp Nicolai was born in Mengeringhausen, Waldeck, Germany, in 1556 and went to be with the Lord in Hamburg, Germany, in 1608, living to the age of 52. He lived a life full of trials and hardships! He faced much opposition and threats, and came near to death many times.
During his time as a pastor there, a terrible plague broke out twice. From the window of his room, he could see the nearby cemetery. Some days, about 30 people were buried due to the plague. In six months, Pastor Nicolai conducted funeral services for approximately 1,300 people. It seemed that in this city, every family had to mourn the loss of at least one loved one! It was an extremely difficult time for this pastor! When asked, "How could the pastor endure through this?"
Pastor Nicolai replied, "For me, it seems there is nothing sweeter, more delightful, and more comforting than to contemplate the exalted doctrine of Eternal Life obtained through the Blood of Christ. I have let this dwell in my spirit day and night... Death is not to be feared, for death is when we meet our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Christ broadens our perspective. We serve Him with all our might on this earth, but there will be another chapter to come—eternal life in Heaven with Him."
And during this challenging time, Pastor Nicolai wrote the hymn, "How Lovely Shines the Morning Star." In the hymn are these words:
How lovely shines the Morning Star! ... filling every place in heaven.
O Almighty Father, in Your Only Son, You have loved me from the beginning When You created this ancient world. Your Only Son has become my friend, and through His Holy Spirit, I see, I rejoice in tribulation. O what blessedness! He lives, giving me eternal life; nothing can separate me from Him.
Indeed, nothing can separate us from the eternal love of God, as the Apostle Paul assures us: "...neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). It was this vast love, the eternal grace of Jesus Christ, that enabled Pastor Nicolai to overcome religious opposition and the sorrow caused by the plague that took so many lives in his city. Though death was near each day, by faith in the assurance that Christ lives eternally, and that He has prepared a good, glorious, and exalted dwelling place in the Kingdom of Heaven for His people, he was able to endure with peace and contentment. Just as the Apostle Paul said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Jesus Christ Himself and His promises are the "Morning Star Shining Forth" each day—the Source of Hope for the certain future of every Christian!
We must always give thanks to God and praise Him, He who forever loves us. Though life in this world may have difficulties, sorrows, and sickness, let us love and revere God with all our hearts, serve Him with all our strength while we live on this earth, and trust in Him completely. For our new chapter will be eternal life in the glorious and exalted Kingdom of Heaven! Remember God's promise: "The sun will no longer be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory" (Isaiah 60:19).
We humbly ask that God forgive our weakness and weariness when we face difficulties, trials, hardships, sickness, and persecution. May His Holy Spirit strengthen us, grant us grace, and help us to trust in His Faithful Word and His eternal love. May we keep our faith until the end, so that our lives will be a living testimony to those around us, helping them also to come to know Him and open their hearts to receive Him! Amen!
Suffering and sickness, who can know? Trials and hardships ever come, Yet God alone knows all things clearly, His love is eternal, ever unchanged! Trust with all our hearts His holy power, protecting us through all our days, Death itself cannot prevail— Our future shines with the Morning Star's light!
Peace in Christ,
Ngoc-Dung
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