Scientists say that our sun is only one of 10 billion stars in our galaxy. Have you ever seen a billion of anything before? (Actually my 8 year old informs me that there are a billion leaves and pine straw on the earth as she looks out our window - little scientist that she is). Furthermore, scientists say that the Milky Way galaxy is 100,000 light years in width, and that one light year is equal to six trillion miles. Maybe I'm a bit shallow, but my little mind can hardly fathom the word trillion, much less six trillion times 100,000. Then if that doesn't stretch you enough, scientists add that there are 100 billion galaxies. Those kinds of numbers and dimensions are mind boggling. We just stop thinking about it as soon as we start because we just don't know what to do with such massive figures. And yet, as overwhelming as it is, God has called people at various times to sit and think about the enormity of the universe and to even try and count the stars. Why would He do that? The Bible gives at least two reasons:

First, He wants us to feel secure that He will keep His promises. God made a promise to Abraham to give him a nation. And to help Abraham feel confident that He would make good on His promise, God said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. And He said to hint, so shall your descendants be" (Gen. 15:5). That was important to Abraham who had lived for 10 years in Canaan, yet did not have one descendent, much less a nation. God may not fulfill His promises when I want Him to, but He does fulfill them and in ways far beyond my ability to comprehend. Abraham never imagined that in the 21" century (some 4000+ years removed from him) you and I would be part of that nation God promised him. You know, as Abraham looked up and began counting, he was looking forward to what God would do. But when we look up at the stars and try to count them today, we are looking backwards and forwards, to what God has done for Abraham and what He will do. "And if yore belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29). God keeps his promises, and the immensity of the stars in His universe is a testimony to that.

Second, He has not forgotten us and is more than able to help us. It is easy to think that God doesn't know about our circumstances. And because many times our bad situations exist because of our own sinful decisions, why would I think that God would rescue me even if He could? Well, He can and wants to! Isaiah wrote to people with just such an attitude, and he said, "Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars. The one who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing. Why do you say, 0 Jacob, and assert, 0 Israel, My way is hidden from the Lord and the justice due me escapes the notice of My God, " (Isa.40:26-27). You see, they thought God had no interest in them anymore - that He didn't even notice them, that they are off His radar and on their own. Truth is, they were wrong! And so are we when we think like that. Isaiah told them that while God is infinite in His strength and power, He is not greedy with that power. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lack might He increases power (Isa.40:28-29). God doesn't sit around and gloat in His might, rather He channels His power to give strength to the weary! God's glory is not only (or even essentially) His power, but His servant nature. No one is too small to be important to Him or unworthy of His attention.

But notice to whom God gives His power: Though youths grow and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary, " (Isa.40:30-31). We must learn to trust in Him and not ourselves. When we say, "0, I'm so tired, this is too hard, I don't think I can last" (spiritually or physically) - - Isaiah says, LOOK TO THE STARS! ASK THE LORD! He has strength without end. So should we do with the overwhelming size of this universe? Well, if you are a scientist, you just sit around and calculate it and theorize about it. But if you are a Christian it is practical - our Father, who created the stars and, orders them as His army, keeps His promises and is ready to save us when we turn to Him.

Mike