He Made the Stars Also!

Some classic books are famous for the way they begin:

• ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…’ – A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• ‘All children, except one, grow up.’ – Peter Pan by J M Barrie
• ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• ‘It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.’ – Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

However, the Bible has what surely must be the most amazing first line of all…

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

God introduces himself to us, telling us that at the beginning of history he was there, the eternal God who has always existed, and always will exist, in complete self-sufficiency. He then describes how he created the universe, the earth, all the plants, fish, insects & animals, then finally mankind in his own image. God spoke everything into existence ex nihilo, out of nothing. Familiarity often breeds contempt, and it is easy to become hardened to the astonishing power of God demonstrated in the creation account.

To rekindle our sense of wonder, let’s focus on Genesis 1:16…

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also (KJV)

We’re told how God made the sun and moon as lights to rule the sky, and then we’re told ‘he made the stars also’. It almost sounds like an afterthought, a casual throw away comment. Next time there is a clear night, go outside and look at the sky – try to count the stars. This scene of incredible beauty was created by God. He made millions of stars and hung them in space in an act summed up in five words – ‘he made the stars also’.

The night sky is a clear demonstration of God’s greatness and power – indeed it’s revealed so clearly in all creation that the Apostle Paul tells us that we are all without excuse if we reject God or deny his existence.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)

Whilst creation should cause us to fall down and worship God for his greatness and majesty, there is a way he has shown his glory even further and with it revealed his love, mercy and grace – the work of redemption.

A holy, just, infinite God himself made a way for his people to be redeemed, saved from their sin and rebellion and the just punishment due to them. How? God became a man, lived a perfect life and himself bore the punishment for sin.

At the beginning of a new year it’s good to be reminded of the incomprehensible power, majesty and glory of God. Let the stars remind you of his creative power. Let creation remind you of that greater work – redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. Let both works, creation and redemption, cause you to praise him for his greatness. O Lord my God, how great thou art!

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

(Carl Boberg, Stuart K. Hine)