One nice thing about the darkness of night is that the stars can be seen then. Sunshine flooding the land is wonderful to see and enjoy, yet a person cannot gaze at the sun on a clear day without hurting his eyes. But the beauty of a full moon and the beauty of the stars can be looked at with no harm to the eyes whatsoever. Most everyone enjoys looking at the wonders of a bright, full moon rising in the east, often with a radiant glow, crossing the sky and eventually disappearing in the west.
What an awesome yet beautiful sight rewards the stargazer, and if using a telescope or binoculars, each point of light becomes increasingly more interesting. The Psalmist, perhaps lying on his back in a grassy field at night, expressed his wonder of it all, saying, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:11<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)). This should be the conclusion of anyone who gives serious thought to the beauty of these amazing lights shining through the endless heavens.
The moon at night appears to be the largest object in this display because it is so close to us, but it is actually a very small part of the heavens. However, it is well worth our study, particularly when we learn that God has placed it in exactly the right spot over the earth to be of the greatest benefit to all life on this planet. Not only does it give welcome light at night, it is also the principal means of producing and controlling ocean tides. Its force (along with wind) keeps the waters in constant motion, supplying oxygen to the oceans’ creatures as well as preventing the oceans from becoming stagnant, harmful and foul smelling. How carefully the Creator designed this wonderful arrangement and has kept this balance all the years since He brought it into being! “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” (Job 11:77Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? (Job 11:7)).
Astronauts have now been able to visit the moon, walk on it, photograph mountains higher than Mt. Everest, and closely examine craters of long-extinct volcanoes. They found just what was anticipated - a large globe about one-fourth the earth’s size, located 239,000 miles above us, with no life, no air, no water, no grass, no trees, no rivers and no lakes or oceans. As expected, it proved to be a “dead body” in space, but placed by the Lord God in just the exact spot to most benefit the earth.
Thankfully, we do not need a telescope to find the Saviour! He has said, “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Proverbs 8:1717I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17)). Another Bible verse says, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:66Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6)). Make sure you have done this while He is still near.
Are there other moons? Yes, many, many more. We will look at them in the next issue.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1997
ML-09/28/1997