Look to the Heavens
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God?’”
Isaiah 40:26-27
When New Testament Christians read this verse on an Old Testament parchment, or when the early church fathers, such as Wycliffe, read it from the newly compiled Bible, what did they think when they lifted their eyes and looked to the heavens? They no doubt bit their tongues from complaining when they considered how God named all the stars within their sight. Surely they were awestruck at the number of stars.
Today we have many more reasons to be awestruck. Galileo’s telescope has given way to powerful, computer-enhanced telescopic images of many more billions of galaxies than ever imagined. So many that they are far beyond counting. Yet God has looked at each one, rubbed his chin so to speak, examined the distinctiveness of each star, and given it a name that fits. Trillions upon trillions of stars, each with a special name.
If God cares about the names of each star, why should you complain, thinking that your problems are hidden from him or that he has no regard for your situation? You are far more precious to him than a nova or even a supernova. He has made you co-heir with the Creator and Name-Giver of the stars.
The lightning and thunder
They go and they come;
But the stars and the stillness
Are always at home.
Greater light rules the day,
lesser, rules the night.
Sun or moon, it doesn’t matter;
we are always in your sight.
George MacDonald
God’s Power in Weakness
Looking back on 55 years in a wheelchair, Joni reflects on the Lord’s faithfulness amid her adversity. She shares how trusting God through hardship has given her strength to not only persevere but live with hope and joy!
