Pastor Perspective

“Language of the Stars”
by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

Stars…billions of ‘em.  Well, I’m sure I could count at least a hundred.  I arrived home late the other evening and as I stepped out of my car, I looked up.  My mouth dropped to my feet.  So many stars!  My heart was moved to worship, “God, You’re awesome!”  This is the biblically appropriate response to gazing at God’s handiwork.  “The heavens declare the glory of God;

and the firmament shows His handiwork,” the psalmist proclaimed (Psalm 19:1).  God’s chosen place of worship isn’t limited to a building. 

Looking up is a good habit—you just may hear God’s voice.  In Psalm 19, David continues his joyful song dedicated to the omnipotent God of creation.  He exults, “Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (vv2-4).  God speaks to us through what He has made.  David took notes, do you?  More accurately, David combined his written observations with music notes.

What a concept:  “…Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.”  What did God tell me through the stars?  The language of the stars communicates to me of God’s power, omniscience, and the Lord’s plan. 

He spoke stars into existence.  He was the One who placed and keeps their position in the skies to accomplish His purpose.  God is infinitely powerful! (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 48:13).  God placed you here on earth in Idaho for a reason.  Primarily, to seek Him.  Scripture teaches us that “He determined their boundaries.  His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him-though He is not far from any one of us.  For in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:26b-28 NLT).

The stars also tell me of God’s omniscience, that is, He knows everything.  How so?  God knows the names of each star throughout the whole universe—without the use of a computer (Psalm 147:4).  This means He knows my name.  He knows your name.

Finally, the words I hear God share through the stars concerns His plan for my life.  The stars I gazed upon the other night shined brightly against the backdrop of darkness.  God’s plan is for me to let my light shine…even in the daytime.  Regretfully, there are times I allow personal sin to block the light of the Son in my life, much like the city or smog obstructs our view of the radiant flickering stars.  But God promised, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).  I want to be like a star that people can hear God’s voice speak of His glory. 

God invites you to shine today.   As you allow the true light of Jesus shine through your life, people will be compelled to look up, saying, “God, You’re awesome!” and give Him all the glory.