During our vacation to New Hampshire, I was able to sit outside and look at the stars. I stared at the sky for several minutes, and more and more stars became visible every second.
I once watched an episode of “Curious George,” in which George wanted to count all of the stars. He always fell asleep before he could finish the job. Even when he tried to mark his place using the Big Dipper, he couldn’t do it. There are more stars than anyone could count.
But “He counts the stars and calls them all by name” (Ps. 147:4). He holds them in His hand. And He holds me in His hand. People always talk about how small they feel when they look up at the stars and realize the enormity of the universe. But we don’t need to feel that way. God cherishes His children above everything else He created. “The LORD’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love” (Ps. 147:11).
We often come to God and say how unworthy we are. I think that downplays God’s grace. He created us in His own image. He breathed life into mankind and made him “a little lower than God” (Ps. 8:5). Psalm 8 is actually a perfect passage to describe what I’m trying to say. It’s all about how big God is and how small we are and how He values us above everything. David marvels at the wonders of the night sky, just as I did that night.
God is so far beyond anything we could imagine, but He loves us. He made us to be worthy of His love. He chose to send His only son to die for us. It is so completely unfair of us to decide that we did not deserve that sacrifice.
I’m as guilty of this as anyone. I forget how much I am loved by my Heavenly Father. I verbally beat myself so much more than I should. I acknowledge that I’m a sinner and take it to the extreme, thinking myself worse than others.
We are all sinners. No one is better or worse than any other. But we are forgiven and are offered eternal life. It is our job to accept that gift and to live in such a way that is pleasing to God.
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Phil. 2:5).
1 comment:
Ah, Hope. You have said what I have often wanted to articulate--that Christ's atoning sacrifice has made us worthy to stand, clean, before the Father. It is by his righteousness, and that alone, that we can come to the Father's throne. When we say we are unworthy, we are denying the work of Jesus on the cross. Thank you.
And, yes, the stars were amazing. Almost like Webster.
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