February

This mighty universe.

When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindful of him. Psalm 8.3‑4

This mighty universe. When we look up at the stars by night, we are given to understand that they are practically all gigantic suns, somewhat similar to the one which we see by day. They are, however, so far away that they appear to be mere points of light. There are millions of them travelling in well‑defined orbits and in perfect rhythm around one grand centre wherein dwells Almighty God. We gather some idea of their speed, when it is learnt that the planet upon which we dwell, is moving at the rate of about eighteen miles per second or some 67,000 miles per hour. This baffies our imagination, for it is about 150 times faster than an aeroplane.

There are some nine major planets*, of which the earth is one, circulating around the sun. Whilst the other planets are as yet uninhabited, we are led to wonder concerning their future use. We wait upon the Lord for the answer. Meanwhile he would have us "lay hold of eternal life!" Then we shall be prepared to appreciate to the full, the wonderful things which God has in reservation for them that love him and who conform to his glorious character. This yearning has been finely expressed in the words of David: "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness!" Psalm 17:15.

*Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.