It’s good at times to pause and think about the descriptions of the Lord we find in scripture. This one strikes me:

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Take a long look at the image above from the Hubble space telescope. A sparkling star field found near the center of the Milky Way, this massive collection forms only a tiny part of our universe. Astronomers discover more and more stars as our telescopes peer deeper and deeper into space.

Not only does God calculate the number of the stars flung into space, he understands each intimately, knowing their make-up and composition. Every star bears a name known only to the Lord. God is so much more than my feeble mind comprehends.

Along with acts of creation, the psalmist reminds us that the Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Do you ever wonder, as I sometimes do, if the Lord is really present and paying attention? And even if that’s the case does he really care? Does he truly heal and bind up?

One answer it to look at the stars. The Lord knows their names, and the Lord knows my name and your name. He sent his son not for the stars, but for you and I.

The stars may appear cold and distant, but they glide above to remind us of the presence and warmth of the Lord.

Psalm 147 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo from NASA