STARGAZING

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."

Have you ever been in the countryside and looked up to see a clear sky? Then tried counting the stars? Its impossible isn't it! (I have, but I've too much time on my hands! Haha)

Of all of God's creation, I must admit, I like the stars. I know that mankind is meant to be its crowning glory, and the animals, birds and fish are diverse in their types and colours. But the stars just seem to be God displaying His splendour!

Genesis records that on day 4 "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." (Genesis 1:16). 

He made the stars also? Almost as though the author remembered them at the last minute. A throw away statement. The stars? Oh yeah, He made them as well. God, through Jesus Christ made all things, and He put each one in its specific place. The stars have been used throughout history to direct ships and travellers, and have indeed been for signs and seasons.

"And unless you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven." (Deuteronomy 4:19) 

You don't have to be rich or poor to appreciate the stars. No matter where in the world you are, simply looking up allows you to see some part of the universe. Even more incredible than that, is that the view constantly changes. Different stars and constellations can be seen throughout the year. The people of old worshiped the sun, moon and stars as they realised how powerful and awe inspiring they are. So much on this earth can be reached & experienced, but only a few astronauts have ever been among the stars. I'd love to have been one of them. We don't worship the stars, or the sun, we worship the one who "spoke and the worlds were formed"

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? (Psalms 8:3, 4) 
What an important question to ask ourselves. Considering God is so powerful, so vast & beyond our understanding....... Why does He have an interest in us? Why did He send His son into the world to live among, and die for, sinful humanity? Because at the root of it all, "God is Love". He created mankind to be in a relationship with Him, but we chose not to enjoy it. How many days in a week do I live to please the God of Heaven? How much time do I spend on knowing His word, and in turn Him through it? Surely not enough! 

"He tells the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names." (Psalms 147:4) 

This is my favourite reference to stars in the bible. Not only did Jesus make the stars, He knows them all and not one of them is hidden from Him. The fact He's named them all shows a personal knowledge of them as individuals. If you're a Christian, God knows where you are, who you are, what you need and what your hearts desire is. He knows you better than you know yourself! We can certainly take comfort from that!! 

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (Matthew 2:10) 

Finally, the greatest star to be seen in the sky throughout history; the one which pointed the way to where the babe was in the manger. In that baby, was and is the salvation that this world needs. The star guided the wise men to the place where they "worshiped Him". We too can worship the one who put the stars in the sky, knows them by name, and then came to earth to save us. That man is Jesus Christ! And we can appreciate Him by STARGAZING. 

Hope you're all having a great day. If you're finding these blogs helpful, please share them with your friends on facebook, twitter or google+. You can now follow this blog on facebook, on www.facbook.com/ODCAO

Yours in Him.  

Dan