Six years ago this month we witnessed a solar eclipse here in Northern Michigan. I thought it was exciting stuff. We went to the hardware store to buy sun-blocking eye ware, which turned out to be welding helmet lenses. On the internet it said to use #13 shaded glass to protect your vision, but those were all sold out. So instead we bought two with a lighter rating, stacked them together, and voilà, we’re looking right at the sun.
As we drove around that afternoon, we saw people everywhere gazing toward the sky. Tourists and shop workers stood outside together to witness the rare phenomenon. At the appointed time, the moon slid right in front of the sun.
Scientists and astronomers could predict this solar eclipse based on the regular orbits of our earth and moon. There is such order and constancy, that they calculate with confidence that “the next total eclipse for North America will come on April 8, 2024” (cnn.com).
Stars, planets, moons—all in motion–are all designed to declare God’s glory to us (Psalm 19:1). And the great God who set up the universe has set His attention on us. The psalmist ponders this with praise, saying, “When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him . . . that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).
What is man? Or what is a human being? The earth, moon, and stars have been around for a long, long time; we’re here for maybe 100 years, probably less. The earth, moon, and stars are enormous; we’re smaller than a few bushels of apples. Look to the sky! Consider the wonder of God’s creation. The One who made and maintains it all cares about you. And you can trust Him today.
