He Calls Them All by Name
Greetings, fellow disciples of Jesus Christ,
Recently, my family travelled out west to visit some national parks and see the wonders God has wrought. One night we ordered some pizza and headed up into the hills outside of Moab, Utah to Arches National Park to stargaze.
We can view a lot of stars in Stony Ridge—more than most people can; especially those who live in cities. I have worked at and attended camps in Ohio where the night sky was something to behold. Still, I was unprepared for seeing the number of stars we saw at Arches. We had brought some star guides for looking up constellations; however, the multitude of stars made the identification of constellations a bit of a challenge. After a while, we simply lay on our backs and marveled in awe.
I thought of Abram, whom the Lord took out of his tent to look up at the sky and count the stars, for so would his descendants be. (Genesis 15:5)
I thought of Isaiah who prophesied:
“Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength, mighty in power,
not one is missing.”
– Isaiah 40:26
So many stars—more than Abram could count—and yet God knows not only their number, He calls them by name!
One can begin to feel small viewing the Milky Way. It’s a big universe and we are pretty puny in that context. Small, yes; but not insignificant.
Consider the words of another stargazer and poet:
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.”
– Psalm 8:3-5
Because of the love that God has for us in Christ Jesus, we are crowned with glory and honor. Moreover, He has entrusted into our care and keeping this grand creation—animals, plants, waterways, etc. (see Psalm 8:6-8). This stewardship is a great honor.
Over what has God given you dominion? What of His creation has God entrusted to your care? Perhaps it is birds at your feeder, or a pet in your home. Maybe it is a modest city lot with flowers and shrubs, or hundreds of acres with crops to feed your neighbors. How is God calling you to care for these works of His fingers?
Some evening this week, step outside and look up at the stars. Look for constellations and planets and shooting stars. But make sure to take a moment and just gaze in wonder at it all. Consider your place in this great universe, humbling to be sure, but not because of our unimportance. No, be humbled instead because of the high place you hold in God’s heart.
God is mindful of you. Our Lord cares for you. In the righteousness bestowed upon you in Christ Jesus, He crowns you with glory and honor. And like the starry host, He calls you by name.
The Lord be with you.
Pastor Mike
