September 19, 2023
If you have not done so lately, read Genesis 1 slowly, prayerfully, and thoughtfully. Ask God to show you the magnitude of the seminal account of creation … and be stunned.
All of God, all from God, all for God, all about God. With a thought and a word, everything we know was created. The heavens, the earth, and everything in them was made, day after day.
Every sentence is pregnant with the power of God and could be—should be—scrutinized and studied. But look at one simple phrase to illustrate.
He made the stars also. (Genesis 1:16)
Almost as an afterthought in the story, a small phrase captured this massive creative moment: “He made the stars also.”
HOW MANY?
If you search through science’s calculations to try to determine the number of stars, it is almost laughable. Scientists love to be exact, but here they are at a total loss. One says there are “200 billion trillion.” Others of our best scholars remind us that stars are clustered in galaxies (100 million stars estimated in our galaxy alone) and that there are an incalculable number of galaxies. Millions, billions.
The truth is we do not know. In fact, we cannot know. It is an action God did to forever humble us. To cement in our thinking that there is Someone beyond us. To forever remind us of His sovereignty. That He is the Creator and there is no other. That you cannot measure God and to try is foolish. That you should believe in Him and that He is higher and beyond anything that we can think or dream.
WHEN YOU’RE PROUD …
Read Genesis 1 each time you think too much of yourself. When you feel like you’re above God or don’t need God. When you need to be reminded that He is God and there is no other. When you are tempted to do as every man has done … to worship and serve the creature more than the Creator. Couple the reading of Genesis 1 with the reading of Romans 1 and be convicted and humbled by God’s evaluation of what we tend to do.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, … For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:20-25)
Look at the stars and repent of every bit of man-centered worship.
OUR WHEN YOU’RE OVERWHELMED …
But also when you are overcome by life. When you think that God does not know you nor care. When you feel alone and helpless. When you are troubled by the seeming realities of your problems that feel insurmountable. When life seems hopeless. Just read Genesis 1 and remember … “He made the stars also.” He knows them by name, and He knows you with intimate care and perfect love.
When you’re lifted up in pride or bowed down in discouragement, look at the stars. Every bright light reminds us that He is God and there is no other. The One who made the stars and knows them by name, made you. And you are of infinite worth to our Sovereign Creator.
“He made the stars also.”
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