There are moments when mankind discovers something so extraordinary that the person responsible becomes famous throughout history. Albert Einstein helped unlock mysteries concerning light, energy, space, and time. Marie Curie’s discoveries concerning radioactivity changed science and medicine. Other researchers have discovered medicines and treatments that have saved millions of lives. We rightly celebrate such accomplishments and honor those who made them. But have you ever stopped to think that every discovery mankind has ever celebrated was already known by God?
Scientists discover. God creates. Every law of physics we uncover is something God established. Every mystery of the human body we finally understand is something God designed. Every distant galaxy we photograph was already there because God put it there. Every astonishing discovery concerning DNA, the brain, the eye, the atom, gravity, light, or the universe reveals another tiny fragment of what has always existed within the unlimited knowledge of God.
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5 (NIV)
David understood the spiritual benefit of thinking this way. He didn’t simply look at creation. He considered it. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them?” Psalm 8:3–4 (NIV)
I love those words, “When I consider.” David deliberately allowed his mind to dwell on God’s greatness. The stars became more than stars. They became evidence of God’s power, wisdom, creativity, and magnificence.
Isaiah encouraged God’s people to do exactly that: “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.” Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)
Think about the magnitude of that statement. The number of stars in the universe is beyond anything we could ever personally count, yet God not only created them, Scripture says He calls them each by name. If God knows every star in that incomprehensibly vast universe, He certainly hasn’t lost track of you. He knows your name. He knows what you’re facing. He knows the prayer you’ve been praying and the answer you haven’t yet seen.
There is something powerful that happens when we meditate on the greatness of God. God doesn’t become bigger—He becomes bigger in our thinking. And consequently, our problems begin to look smaller.
We spend so much time considering what is wrong. What if we developed David’s habit instead? What if we deliberately spent time considering God?
God sees the beginning and the end. He understands what we cannot understand. That is why we can trust Him when life isn’t going the way we thought it would. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Understanding all of this, it is critical that we understand the greatest purpose running through God’s plan from beginning to end: the redemption of mankind. The God who created the stars and calls them by name looked upon fallen humanity and loved us so deeply that He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. His greatest demonstration of love wasn’t written across the stars. It was demonstrated at the cross.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
Jesus willingly took our sin upon Himself, died in our place, and rose from the dead so that everyone who puts their faith in Him can be forgiven, reconciled to God, and receive eternal life.
So develop the habit David had: consider God. Consider His creation, His wisdom, His unlimited understanding, and His faithfulness. But above everything else, consider Jesus. When you cannot trace God’s hand, you can still trust His heart, because His love has already been proven at the cross.
“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:3 (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Lord, when life feels uncertain, help me lift my eyes and consider Your greatness. Remind me that the God who created and named the stars also knows my name, loves me, and holds my life in His hands. Thank You for proving Your love through Jesus. Help me trust You with what I cannot understand and confidently place my tomorrow in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
