“He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” Psalm 147:4

My grandfather used to say that skies are bluer in October and November than at any other time of year. There’s less humidity and fewer floating particles to separate us from the vastness of space. 

The same holds true for nighttime views. Stars are more easily visible now—their twinkling lights adorn the black velvet heavens like millions of scattered diamonds.

A few years ago, our family went to Sedona, Arizona, in a desert surrounded by a starkly beautiful terrain of shaded rocks and mountains. I insisted that we go away from the nighttime glow of town to a place where we could park the car and turn out all the lights. After our eyes adjusted to the darkness, the star visibility was astonishing. The Milky Way was truly milky, and stars upon stars bombarded our eyes.

It was mind-boggling to me then, and it still is. Just think…all those stars out there, gajillions of miles away, and yet we can still see their light. Our Sun is one of them, and Earth is just a puny little satellite around it. Makes us seem pretty small, right?

King David felt the same way. Long before he ruled over Israel, David was a simple shepherd who was entranced by the beauty of God’s universe. Picture him lying on his back alone on a remote wilderness hillside, hearing the murmurs of sleepy sheep, and gazing at the night sky. As he pondered the work of God’s fingertips, he mused, “What is man that you would care anything about him, much less visit him?”

David understood he was absolutely nothing in the vast expanse of God’s creation…smaller than a grain of sand in an endless ocean. He grasped the infinite hugeness and supremacy of the Maker of the universe and lived in fear of Him. Yet he spoke with God and chased after God’s heart. David understood the value that God places on humankind, the pinnacle of His creatures on Earth.

“You have made man only a little lower than the angels,” David said, “and You even crowned him!”

How does a God who created the stars still care about us? Love us enough to die for us? We can’t fit God into our mold or comprehend His enormity. And yet, He hears our prayers and wants a relationship with us…individually and corporately. How absolutely astonishing!

With temperatures beginning to plummet in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a bit chilly to stroll outside right now after dark. But I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and find a place without “light pollution” to observe God’s enormous universe. Consider it your November privilege.

If you’re a meteor fan, check out the Geminids in a few weeks (December 4-17) or wait until the Perseids arrive (July 17 to August 26, 2021) to look for “falling stars.”* I’ve dragged myself out of bed several times in the past, in the wee hours of the morning, to lie back on a beach towel in our driveway and watch these meteor showers at their peak times. It is so worth it.

As you contemplate the heavens, remember Who made them. Remember His love for you. Let the dance of the stars captivate your heart and pull you upward into His cosmic waltz. And if you listen closely enough, you might even catch the melody from His music of the spheres. 

Lord of all creation, Maker of the Stars and Earth, we lift up mighty praise to You. You are truly an awesome God, and we fall at Your feet in astonishment. As we gaze at the beauty of Your heavens, remind us that You are faithful…that current events will pass away…that You hold all things, including us, in Your loving hands. May we praise You and honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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*https://www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar/#Southern+Taurids

© Copyright 2020 Nancy C Williams, Lightbourne Creative