In my sermon last Sunday I expressed the opinion that the universe, the heavens, were give as a sign to us of the great depth and breadth and width and height of God’s great love for us. I told about my search for the farthest object in space, which my source identified as V12 (variable 12) in the Galaxy NGC 4823. It is a star that’s 3.2 parsecs away from the earth. A parsec is about 19 trillion miles. I quoted from Psalm 103:11, “As far as the heavens are above the earth so great is your steadfast love for me.”
Until proven otherwise, I will retain my opinion that there is no extra-terrestrial life. The universe was created by God for us. Genesis 2:14 tells us that God created the luminaries in the heavens for us as signs, seasons, and time measurement. The seasons on earth are determined by our position from the “Great light” the sun. The use of our movement in relation to the luminaries in the heavens enables us to measure time. The signs portion is not as clear. I’d argue that the scriptures make it clear that at least one sign, if not the key sign, of the universe is not only God’s existence, (Romans 1), but also God’s immense, unbreakable (faithful) love for us.
I opened my bible this morning to Psalm 89 to study and write my daily devotion. Here’s what the first two verses say, “I will sing about the LORD’s faithful love forever; with my mouth. I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. For I will declare, “Faithful love is built up forever; You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens.” If you want to see how much God loves you, look into the heavens on a clear dark night! That’s how great His love is for you and me.
Since mankind didn’t understand the sign God gives us in the heavens, God sent His son from heaven to communicate it more clearly. Jesus said, “I came down from heaven, to accomplish my father’s will…” That will was to demonstrate the great depth, height, width and length of God’s love for us…“For God so love the world that He sent His son…” If you want to see how much God loves you, look at the cross, then look again into the heavens. “So Great is His steadfast love for us.”
Chuck
“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.” (Psalm 86:11)