by:
12/26/2022
0
89Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. Psalm 119:89-96
You might recognize these words from a favorite church hymn:
“Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed”
“God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy”
Whether it’s the psalmist, a favorite hymn, or a more modern worship song, people have looked to the wonders and mysteries of the universe beyond our earth and been compelled to praise God for His power and might in creating and sustaining such a massive creation. Our own galaxy is over 100,000 light years across. That’s 587,862,554,124,841,000 miles. And we’re just one tiny planet, orbiting a pretty mundane yellow star, in one of countless billions of galaxies floating around in the vastness of space.
In the worldview of the Psalmist, the vastness of the night sky he could see and the realm in which God and His angels exist, heaven, were pretty much synonymous. He was not incorrect in believing that God’s word, His authority, purpose, and design encompassed all he could see in the skies above him at night.
When Job wanted an answer from God as to why he was enduring trials, one of the many rhetorical questions God answered with was, “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?” (Job 38:31-33) To put it another way, “Job do you have any idea how astrophysics works? Any idea what it actually takes to place entire star systems in such a precise way as to provide you, who live on one little planet in all of the vastness of space, with a way to tell time and the seasons?” It was humbling for Job, the Psalmist, and should be for us when we consider the vast glories of all God has created.
The Psalmist then makes the connection, “I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.” (Psalm 119:89-96) If God can arrange the heavens in such majestic splendor, surely He can be trusted to guide our own lives.
Today, consider that all the glories of the natural world around you, even the parts you don’t care for, don’t understand, even fear, are all part of an intricate design. That genius Designer has a plan for YOU, too! We’d be wise to not forget that there is a master plan, a plan we can trust; a plan to lead us to fellowship with God and our fellow believers. If there is an area of your walk with Christ you have been struggling to trust Him in, let it go today. Have faith that the God who keeps the whole universe in good order knows what He’s doing when it comes to your life, as well!
Prayer for Today:
Father, I revel in the vast glory of all You have created. Show me the wonders of Your Word, as I can see the wonders of Your universe all around me. Jesus, teach me to trust You to show me the will of Your Father, and that by Your example, I can bring glory to His Name. By Your Holy Spirit reassure me that in all the vastness of the universe, You know me by name and love me forever. Amen.
0 Comments on this post: