“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1, ESV)
On April 8th in 2024, as I write this meditation, North America will see a beautiful full solar eclipse. The moon will in many places completely block out the sun, leaving us in darkness. In ancient times, this was often seen as an omen sent from God. For example, in the days of Moses, darkness was one of the plagues sent upon Egypt. Still, not all eclipses or astral events will show God’s favor or disfavor upon humankind. BUT, according to the scripture today, the heavens “declare the glory of God” with the “sky above proclaiming God’s handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).
There were many times in the Bible that the heavens taught about the glory of God. At creation, God separated day and night (Genesis 1). In the days of the prophet Isaiah, God made the sun go backwards as a sign of His displeasure upon the people of Judah and Israel (Isaiah 38:8). When Jesus was born, wisemen followed the “star in the east” to visit the Christ child (Matthew 2:9). When Jesus was crucified, the sky became dark (Matthew 27:45). The prophet Joel even predicted that before the “Day of the Lord”, “the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood” (Joel 2:21). What is especially interesting about this prediction of Joel is that the moon does indeed turn blood red during certain eclipses!!!!
Since God does alter the sky, “proclaiming His handiwork”, I think it important to look for God’s signs in the heavens. The danger is when people claim there is a sign in the heavens when there is not or when people ignore the signs God does put there.
One infamous leader looked at the heavens and falsely predicted that God was sending a spaceship to get him and his followers. Marshall Applewhite began the Heavens Gate cult with the belief the when the Haley-Bopp comet appeared in the sky, God would send a spaceship to whisk the faithful off to heaven. The cultists believed that when the comet appeared, it was “time to die”. Senseless mass suicide was the inevitable result of their delusion.
On the other hand, God did darken the sky as a warning to the Egyptians in the days of Moses (Exodus 10:21-22). Sadly, Pharaoh did not heed the sign of God nor free the Israelite slaves in Egypt. His purposeful rejection of this sign resulted in painful suffering throughout the land and the death of the firstborn of Egypt.
God does send special signs in the heavens in order to proclaim special events. Like the star in the East at Jesus’ birth and the darkness on the day of Jesus’ death, God expects the faithful to know the purpose of these special signs. However, God also “declares His glory” in the heavens in other ways. The amazing power of God at creation comes to mind! The way that the stars and planets in the sky have their patterns and phases and purpose shows God’s wisdom and might. Did you know that if the sun were smaller or larger or more distant or closer, life COULD NOT exist on earth? God put the sun in a perfect place in order to nourish and sustain life on our planet!
Do you yet realize how God made all the conditions for life perfect for your existence? Have you expressed your thanks for God’s perfect placement of the sun and moon and stars and our earth? Do you see how precious life is? Do you see how God protects this little blue orb we live on even today?
The first scientists believed they were able to determine the movement of stars and planets because God “ordered their work in the sky”. The earliest scientists were often very religious people. They saw the world and the heavens and all life as operating under principles guided by the hand of God. Only recently, when atheism and humanism took over the sciences, have people falsely devised theories and explanations for creation, life, gravity, the movement of the stars, and more. Their sin is evident in the fact that they see God’s order in the universe but are loathe to declare God’s part in it. Albert Einstein even proclaimed, “The more I study science, the more I believe in God.” Astronomer Galileo, physicist Sir Isaac Newton and astronomer Johannes Kepler, were deeply devout and often viewed their work as a way to illuminate God's creation. (See Religion and Science: A Timeline.) Why doesn’t everyone make the connection between creation and God’s handiwork? According to a poll from 2009, just over half of scientists (51%) believe in some form of deity or higher power; specifically, 33% of scientists say they believe in God, while 18% believe in a universal spirit or higher power. Sadly, some people look to the heavens and do not see God at all!
Today, I want you to realize again that God has made your life possible. God has blessed you with creation and the gift of life. God has ordained the stars and planets to be in perfect alignment. The least you can do is give credit to your Creator! Today’s eclipse and all the signs of heaven would rather you go one step further. Why don’t you acknowledge that God is much wiser than you! If God can create life and the universe, God must know what HE is doing!
Look around at creation, at the eclipse, at the stars, at life on this earth as special gifts that God intended. Give up your silly notion that you are in ultimate control of your destiny. Place ultimate control for your life in God’s hands. Live your years in the knowledge that God holds your life in the palm of His Almighty hand (see Isaiah 49:15-16). The heavens “declare God’s glory”. God’s glory deserves your respect and honor. God oversees this universe. Have you given HIM due respect throughout your life, while making your decisions, when making your choices? Do you show God honor and praise? Why not do that today?
There were many times in the Bible that the heavens taught about the glory of God. At creation, God separated day and night (Genesis 1). In the days of the prophet Isaiah, God made the sun go backwards as a sign of His displeasure upon the people of Judah and Israel (Isaiah 38:8). When Jesus was born, wisemen followed the “star in the east” to visit the Christ child (Matthew 2:9). When Jesus was crucified, the sky became dark (Matthew 27:45). The prophet Joel even predicted that before the “Day of the Lord”, “the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood” (Joel 2:21). What is especially interesting about this prediction of Joel is that the moon does indeed turn blood red during certain eclipses!!!!
Since God does alter the sky, “proclaiming His handiwork”, I think it important to look for God’s signs in the heavens. The danger is when people claim there is a sign in the heavens when there is not or when people ignore the signs God does put there.
One infamous leader looked at the heavens and falsely predicted that God was sending a spaceship to get him and his followers. Marshall Applewhite began the Heavens Gate cult with the belief the when the Haley-Bopp comet appeared in the sky, God would send a spaceship to whisk the faithful off to heaven. The cultists believed that when the comet appeared, it was “time to die”. Senseless mass suicide was the inevitable result of their delusion.
On the other hand, God did darken the sky as a warning to the Egyptians in the days of Moses (Exodus 10:21-22). Sadly, Pharaoh did not heed the sign of God nor free the Israelite slaves in Egypt. His purposeful rejection of this sign resulted in painful suffering throughout the land and the death of the firstborn of Egypt.
God does send special signs in the heavens in order to proclaim special events. Like the star in the East at Jesus’ birth and the darkness on the day of Jesus’ death, God expects the faithful to know the purpose of these special signs. However, God also “declares His glory” in the heavens in other ways. The amazing power of God at creation comes to mind! The way that the stars and planets in the sky have their patterns and phases and purpose shows God’s wisdom and might. Did you know that if the sun were smaller or larger or more distant or closer, life COULD NOT exist on earth? God put the sun in a perfect place in order to nourish and sustain life on our planet!
Do you yet realize how God made all the conditions for life perfect for your existence? Have you expressed your thanks for God’s perfect placement of the sun and moon and stars and our earth? Do you see how precious life is? Do you see how God protects this little blue orb we live on even today?
The first scientists believed they were able to determine the movement of stars and planets because God “ordered their work in the sky”. The earliest scientists were often very religious people. They saw the world and the heavens and all life as operating under principles guided by the hand of God. Only recently, when atheism and humanism took over the sciences, have people falsely devised theories and explanations for creation, life, gravity, the movement of the stars, and more. Their sin is evident in the fact that they see God’s order in the universe but are loathe to declare God’s part in it. Albert Einstein even proclaimed, “The more I study science, the more I believe in God.” Astronomer Galileo, physicist Sir Isaac Newton and astronomer Johannes Kepler, were deeply devout and often viewed their work as a way to illuminate God's creation. (See Religion and Science: A Timeline.) Why doesn’t everyone make the connection between creation and God’s handiwork? According to a poll from 2009, just over half of scientists (51%) believe in some form of deity or higher power; specifically, 33% of scientists say they believe in God, while 18% believe in a universal spirit or higher power. Sadly, some people look to the heavens and do not see God at all!
Today, I want you to realize again that God has made your life possible. God has blessed you with creation and the gift of life. God has ordained the stars and planets to be in perfect alignment. The least you can do is give credit to your Creator! Today’s eclipse and all the signs of heaven would rather you go one step further. Why don’t you acknowledge that God is much wiser than you! If God can create life and the universe, God must know what HE is doing!
Look around at creation, at the eclipse, at the stars, at life on this earth as special gifts that God intended. Give up your silly notion that you are in ultimate control of your destiny. Place ultimate control for your life in God’s hands. Live your years in the knowledge that God holds your life in the palm of His Almighty hand (see Isaiah 49:15-16). The heavens “declare God’s glory”. God’s glory deserves your respect and honor. God oversees this universe. Have you given HIM due respect throughout your life, while making your decisions, when making your choices? Do you show God honor and praise? Why not do that today?