Lift Up Your Eyes

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center estimates that there are 10 to the 21st power number of stars in space. That’s a 10 with 21 zeros following it.   They can only estimate because the Hubble telescope can’t see all the stars that exist.

Depending on who you read, within the part of the universe we can observe, there are from 100 to 240 billion galaxies, each composed of billions of stars.  In other words, we really have no idea how many stars there are.  Astronomers can only guess.

Sometimes we can feel like God has forsaken us in this vast universe, or he has lost track of us.  After all, how can God keep tabs on a single speck of dust amidst hundreds of billions of stars?  Surely he’s got too much on his plate to be aware of our trifling troubles.

When Israel felt forsaken, God reminded them of his infinite power and care:

Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power
not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”? (IS 40.26-27).

First God says he brings out every star by number, calls each by name, and never forgets what he called them.  Next he says his infinite power guarantees that not one star in the whole universe ever goes missing.  He never forgets nor loses track of the most far-flung star in the heavens.

Then God challenges his people, saying, “If I assign a specific number and name to each and every star and uphold each one by my might so that not a single one is ever lost, why do you say ‘My way is hidden from the Lord?’  If I don’t lose track of a single star, I won’t lose track of you.  If my almighty power can uphold hundreds of billions of galaxies of untold numbers of stars, my power can certainly uphold you.”

Take heart, your way is not hidden from the Lord.  He knows every detail in your life.  He called you by name and he hasn’t forgotten you.  You are more valuable to Jesus than all the stars in heaven, because he purchased you with his precious blood.  He’s more concerned about a single one of his own children than all of the galaxies combined.  I care infinitely more about the well-being of my children than all my possessions.  How much more is God concerned for you.

God’s universe-sustaining might upholds you and he will preserve you to the end.

No one can snatch you out of his hand.  He never takes his eyes off you, even when you are sleeping.  He is continually and actively doing good to you moment by moment.  He will certainly strengthen and help you and bring forth his glory in your life.

photo by Pipe F&FF