The Heavens Are Talking

On October 2, 1608 an invention was unveiled to the world that would transform the landscape of scientific inquiry for the next 400 years. That invention was the telescope. Hans Lippershey, a maker of eyeglasses, showed the world his invention and called in the “looker.” You can read more about the fascinating history of the telescope and its impact on scientific discovery by going Space Today Online. Before the invention of the telescope there was no way of observing far away stars or the planets in our own solar system. After 400 years of continued improvement of telescopic technology, we are able to observe the heavens in way that is breathtaking.

These breathtaking images from telescopes like Hubble are much more than mere scientific advancements. They help us hear what the universe has to say. What? You mean the universe is actually talking to us. While no words are used, the heavens are talking. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). These glorious images are telling us something about the One who made them. They are declaring the awesome power, majesty and splendor of the Creator. Are you listening?

The vast size of the universe is almost incomprehensible. Its enormity makes our small planet and those of us who live on seem so small and insignificant. What a truly humbling experience to stand outside on a dark night and view the countless number of stars. The universe tells us of a great and glorious God. The universe tells us that it does not exist for us but for the One who made it. “When I consider 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, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet” (Psalm 8:3-4).

While it is vital that each of us come to this moment of humility before the Maker of all things, there is more at stake here. The writer of Hebrews certainly thought so. God created human beings to rule over creation or as Psalm 8 puts it, “You crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” The inspired observation recorded in Hebrews 2 is that we currently do not observe everything subject to him. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).

What a magnificent truth! The Son of God, who is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” and who sustains or upholds the universe by the power of His word (Hebrews 1:3), humbled Himself and became man and tasted death for us. Paul described the humility of Christ in this way, “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

The Son of God graciously and lovingly humbled Himself and died on the cross but there is more. The Lord Jesus Christ died but He was raised up from the dead. He was then crowned with glory and honor. “God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

So the next time you are out gazing up at the heavens, I hope you are listening. I hope you see the glory of a great and gracious God. I hope you think upon the way in which this great and gracious God sent His Son to let us see more of His glory. I hope you will take time to reflect upon Christ’s humility in death and His exaltation to the right hand of God the Father. Above all, I hope you are eagerly waiting for Christ to return when He will be “glorified among His saints” and “marveled at among those who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10).