I was driving in the middle of the night this weekend, and found myself examining the stars on the horizon in front of me. I recalled a lesson on astronomy from my school days. It pointed out that distances in space are measured in light years, that is, the distance a beam of light can travel in a year. We know that light travels so quickly that we don't perceive a delay between when it leaves the source and when it reaches our eyes. Think how far away the farthest stars must be!
This school lesson in the vastness of space continued with the stunning revelation that in order for us to see the stars that are the most distant--let's say, over a million light years away--the light that reaches our eyes tonight has been traveling through space for over a million years! It is as if we are looking back in time.
These facts make me think about the vastness of God in His power and omnipresence. He is higher and farther than the highest stars, looking down at the creation He has made, missing nothing (Job 22: 12-18). At the same time, He is near to those who call on Him, and hears their cries for help (Psalm 34: 17-20). He set the stars in their places, so far away (Psalm 8: 3-4), and He sent us their light to light our days from the very beginning, not even waiting for the light to travel that great distance (Genesis 1: 16-18).
The same God who created all of these vast distances can cross them in an instant. He made these spaces, not to keep us away, but to draw us closer to Him by showing us how powerful He is and how important we are to Him. The stars are ancient witnesses to His favorable regard toward mankind, not things to be worshiped in themselves.
Something to contemplate today.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever—he issued a decree that will never pass away. (Psalm 148: 3-6 NIV)
This school lesson in the vastness of space continued with the stunning revelation that in order for us to see the stars that are the most distant--let's say, over a million light years away--the light that reaches our eyes tonight has been traveling through space for over a million years! It is as if we are looking back in time.
These facts make me think about the vastness of God in His power and omnipresence. He is higher and farther than the highest stars, looking down at the creation He has made, missing nothing (Job 22: 12-18). At the same time, He is near to those who call on Him, and hears their cries for help (Psalm 34: 17-20). He set the stars in their places, so far away (Psalm 8: 3-4), and He sent us their light to light our days from the very beginning, not even waiting for the light to travel that great distance (Genesis 1: 16-18).
The same God who created all of these vast distances can cross them in an instant. He made these spaces, not to keep us away, but to draw us closer to Him by showing us how powerful He is and how important we are to Him. The stars are ancient witnesses to His favorable regard toward mankind, not things to be worshiped in themselves.
Something to contemplate today.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever—he issued a decree that will never pass away. (Psalm 148: 3-6 NIV)
1 comments:
This is a good post. I liked the statement 'The same God who created all of these vast distances can cross them in an instant. He made these spaces, not to keep us away, but to draw us closer to Him by showing us how powerful He is and how important we are to Him.'
Thank you.
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