“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
Everywhere We Go . . .
As a chaperone for my son’s field trip, I climb aboard the bright yellow school bus and find a seat amongst some wiggly boys — my boy being one of them. When the bus engine roars to life, the kids all squeal as we roll towards our destination: a nearby observatory.
The observatory is a quiet sort of place, until 68 kids show up. We file into a darkened room and lean our seats way back. We’re here to look at the sky, or at least, a simulation of the sky. With the flip of a switch, the “stars” appear on the domed ceiling, and our host uses a red-dotted light to point out certain ones.
Every star has a name.
From our view, it might seem as if the stars are randomly strewn about the sky, but there’s nothing random about our night’s landscape. God hung each star in just the right place, and in the just the right distance from each other. Each star is unique in color, size, and shape.
Every star shines a certain way.
A sweet hush falls over the kids as they gaze upon the constellations. Like a game of connect-the-dots, our host highlights the way some stars form pictures when grouped together.
Every star tells a story.
Nothing in our sky is an accident. When we observe God’s creation, we see intention and purpose. We see God’s glory in glimmers of light. He draped the night sky with a starry host that shines through the present darkness. And He knows their names. Just like He knows our names.
At times the stars might be hidden behind clouds, but they’re always there. Just like He is always there.
The next time we’re outside at night, let’s follow the words of Isaiah and lift up our eyes and look to the heavens. When we do, we’ll see the fingerprints of the Almighty everywhere. They’re there to remind us that He’s with us, everywhere we go.
What a beautiful post, thank you for “We’ll see the fingerprints of tha Almighty everywhere. They’re there to remind us that He’s with us, everywhere we go” and “At times the stars might be hidden behind clouds but they’re always there. Just like He’s always there”…what a lovely reminder to feel a connection with God just to look up. These times we are in, refugees running from violent war in Syria, crazy attacks on Beruit, Baghdad and France, innocent lives taken, fear in the world, families suffering, none of these things have I experienced and I hope I never will but I pray and ask you all to pray for the people in and around all these tragic events, each with their own story, people just like you and me. I pray for comfort and care from God that He will envelope them in peace and put an end to their grief, I hope They can look up and see his fingerprints in the stars, feel that God is there for them even if they cannot see him.
Joining with you in praying for God’s arms of comfort to surround everyone who is touched by these atrocities…if only we would love how Jesus taught us to love…love others as we love ourselves…we would not have this violence. Still claiming with you that God is indeed Good. B
Yes, Bev, thank you for proclaiming those words. God is good. Even when we cannot see beyond the current circumstances. He is good.
I’m praying along with you for those tragically taken and peace for all those who are needlessly suffering.
Penny
Thank you, Penny, for praying.
Yes, Jas, you are so right. Every news story rends our hearts with a deeper longing for Christ to return. And we know He will. But until that day comes, we are here, and we can make a difference — with our prayers, with our hands, and with our words. I pray for everyone affected by the persecution happening around the world. May God’s presence comfort each person in ways beyond our comprehension.
Denise,
One of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen was when I was lying on the front of a ship, in the dark of night, in the middle of the ocean. Nothing but blackness surrounded me, but the display of stars above and around me on all sides was breathtaking. It was truly a starry host and God’s awesome majesty spoke to me through His creation. I’ll never forget that sight…just like God never forgets about each of us. Like the stars, He knows us all by name. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
Blessings,
Bev
I love that picture, Bev. Thank you for sharing that. 🙂
Denise,
“We’ll see the fingerprints of tha Almighty everywhere.”. How true is that!! I have seen the expansive Grand Canyon & look out my window at the beautiful Smokey Mountains. Look at the gorgeous sunrises/sunsets and you see Him there! If He is in all that always–He is with you and won’t forget about you or your problems!
Prayers for France and other places where atrocities are happening!
Blessings 🙂
From the heights of the farthest skies to the depths of the grandest canyons, we see His fingerprints everywhere. He is the God beyond all our imaginings.
Just this morning as I let the cat in, the stars were so close it was almost as if you could reach out and touch them. What a comfort seeing just how close He really is. I have been thinking a lot about how the only certain thing there is Him and how He watches over us. I wish what He has created could be appreciated without being destroyed. I hope and pray for everyone and anyone suffering, that there will be Peace.
Denise thank-you for your touching post I could visualize it’s magnificence.
Penny
Thank you, Penny.
Good morning, My daughter arrived at her motel in Maui Friday night (13) & she went outside the to look up to the heavens and gave thanks. How fitting to read your message today. Thanks
Oh, Claire, thank you for sharing that. How beautiful.
I love this! Such a beautiful reminder of God’s continual presence. I love star gazing and I love to look for God in the mundane of a normal day. His majesty is magnificent! Thank you for the lovely reminder this weekend.
Micah, I love that. From the mundane to the majestic, He is God above all.