Star Search

For obvious reasons, this experience is slightly more powerful at night!

Pack warm clothes, a Bible and a torch. If you live in the city, get out of it, far enough to lose the light pollution, and spend at least 20 minutes just letting your eyes get accustomed to the wonder that is the night sky. During that time, you will begin to see more and more of what is there to be seen.

The nearest star you can see is 4 light years away, so you're seeing it as it was 4 years ago, and the furthest is 600,000 light years away, so you're seeing it as it was 600,000 years ago. So not only are you staring at a massive span of geography, you are staring up at a massive span of history, including snapshots from 4 years ago back to 600,000 years ago and everything in between! (depending on your theology of creation!) It blows my mind that I, as a puny little human being am allowed to experience that!

Spend some time simply giving thanks for what you see and what you are experiencing. Then read aloud the following passages, pausing to worship for some time after each one.

Psalm 147:4

He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.

Job 22:12

Is not God in the heights of heaven?
And see how lofty are the highest stars!

Psalm 8

Philip. 2:14-16

Deut. 4:19 

And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the starsall the heavenly arraydo not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshipping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

Someone once put it in song like this:-

"I hear the song you wrote.
I see the stars.
They've waited years to quote
Your words of power."

It may be a while since you last stood in awe of God and his Creation, so allow yourself to be amazed at how someone so small could be so loved.

If you really can't get outside, then check out the website for a beautiful presentation of images from the Hubble telescope.

 

Reproduced with permission from God360 - experiential devotionals - the new book by Andy Flannagan, published by Spring Harvest/Authentic media - www.god360.co.uk