Exploring the Stars

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one. Isaiah 40:26

In 2021, a multination effort led to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope—deployed nearly a million miles from Earth to better investigate the universe. This marvel will peer into deep space and examine the stars and other celestial wonders. This is indeed a fascinating astronomical piece of technology, and if everything works, it will provide us with amazing photos and information. But its mission isn’t new. In fact, the prophet Isaiah described searching the stars when he said, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one” (Isaiah 40:26). “Night after night” they speak of our Creator who hurled this imperceptibly immense universe into existence (Psalm 19:2)—and with it the countless luminous bodies that silently grace our night sky (v. 3). And it’s God Himself who decided how many of the shining objects there are: “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name” (Psalm 147:4). When mankind sends complicated, fascinating probes to explore the universe, we can enjoy with spellbound wonder the discoveries they make, because each observation points back to the One who made the solar system and everything beyond it. Yes, the “heavens declare the glory of God” (19:1)—stars and all. By Dave Branon REFLECT & PRAY How do the stars and the entire universe speak of God and His creative ways? What thoughts and emotions strike you as you think about His power? Heavenly Father, thank You for creating such an amazing universe for me to enjoy.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Psalm 19 speaks to ancient Israel of Yahweh’s power and serves as a defense of their monotheistic beliefs. The psalmist presents God as creator and controller of the would-be gods of the nations that surrounded them. The psalms weren’t simply songs of worship but were teaching tools that helped Israel (and us) solidify her beliefs in the power and presence of God. Commentator Tremper Longman states: “The psalmist calls our attention specifically to the sun, the most dominant of the heavenly bodies. Using poetic personification, the poet points out that the sun lives in the sky. That is where God has placed its tent. Verse 5 then uses two similes to emphasize the passionate energy of the sun as it races across the sky. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.”

J.R. Hudberg