I’m on day four of my time away and enjoying sunshine, sand and surf. The beach is beautiful, the family content and my mind and body being refreshed. Today’s post is from our family friend, David Price. David is a source of regular encouragement and support and is one of the most thorough bible teachers I know. Today’s post from him comes all the way from his home in Cheltenham, England.
Surely some of the most well–known words in Scripture – and probably the most often-quoted verses in Psalm 8 – are these:
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him? -Psalm 8:3-4
Have you ever wondered “Why are the stars there?”
Part of the reason might be this; that in the day light, we can see and admire the intricacies and the beauties of the creation of which we are part – but in the night time we are confronted by the infinity of space. This reminds us that God is great, far greater than we can begin to imagine – so we are brought to see our insignificance and our limitations, despite all our pride. In the night time we can see God’s glory in a way that we could not in the light of day.
But that leads on to this; that, just as there is a reason for the night to be a part of the scheme of creation, so there is a reason for the night seasons that sometimes come upon our souls – and it is just the same. In the night seasons we can see God’s glory in a way that we could not if He led us all the way to glory by paths of sunshine and peace.
Our sovereign Lord does all things well; as the song goes
With God things don’t just happen,
Everything by Him is planned
He has a plan and purpose for our lives which includes all the events and circumstances that come upon us – even the heartaches and disappointments, the frustrations and the tears – for thus is our faith exercised, and our patience and hope enabled to grow. Therefore, although we may feel doubts and fears when sometimes He leads us in ways which are dark and hard, may we not look to Him to fulfil His promises never to leave us or forsake us (Isaiah 41 : 10 and Hebrews 13 : 5)? May we not have the same confidence as David expressed in Psalm 23: 4 “For Thou art with me”? And, when we lack that assurance that we love the Lord, or that He loves us, may we not “trust where we cannot trace” – and look for the stars of His glory even in the darkest hour? For that is when they will shine brightest!