"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge" (Psalm 19:1-2).
I am always amazed when I read and study the vastness of creation! My son and I just finished studying a book called Indescribable, by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman.
We learned that astronomers now estimate there to be around 70 million millionmillion stars in the visible universe alone.
According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe. And our solar system is tiny compared to our Milky Way galaxy. By way of comparison, scientists say the size of our solar system relative to the Milky Way would be roughly the size of a quarter in an area as big as North America! One of the largest stars in our known universe is the IRS 65. If our sun stood only 18 inches high, then in comparison IRS 65 would stand as tall as Mount Everest.
Next up we learned about Neutron stars. Talk about the wow factor. Some astronomers estimate that neutron stars may actually be ten trillion ties denser than steel. Some neutron stars spin at rates of up to six hundred times per second. Wow! Astronomers estimate that the sun is around 27 million degrees Fahrenheit at its core. It burns up around 4 million tons of its own mass every second. And it's so huge that even at that rate it would last another 5 to 6 billion years! And the sun is just an average star in the universe among billions of others!
Job says, "Stop and consider God's wonders..." (Job 37:14).
"He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names." (Psalm 147:4).
"I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretches out the heavens" (Isa 44:24).
Genesis says that Godspoke these galaxies into existence with mere sentences. He upholds all things by the word of his power! Wow! And yet Job declares that these are the mere fringes of his works,
"how faint the whisper we hear of him? Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" (Job 26:14).
I believe the thunder of God's power speaks of God's person, not just what he does but who He is! He is the All-Consuming One, the All-Sufficient One, the All-Satisfying One, and the All-Deserving One!
As David Bryant writes,
"He defies all human categories; there is no language that can adequately describe Him. He is the incomparable One! He remains in a class by himself...no duplicates, no clones. His importance eclipses all others. He outranks every other being in Heaven, earth, or hell. He is the exalted One; for all eternity he holds the primary focus of our praises. He holds a position of unrivaled distinction, prestige, and majesty.
He will be the joy of all peoples, the desire of all nations. He is the Victorious One. None of his enemies will prevail, he will defeat all of his foes unconditionally-both human and demonic and will emerge forever unthreatened, unhindered, and victorious over all opposition, permanently and forever.
He is the Preeminent and Supreme One...in time and space and history he lays claim to the universe, it all belongs to Him. He is the all sufficient One. Nothing can exhaust his power or resources. He will forever prove totally adequate for all of our longings, fears, needs or heart cries. He is faithful and true!"(David Bryant, Christ is All, pg. 41-42)
He is indescribable in his beauty, unfathomable in his wisdom! He is outstanding! He is the well-spring of eternity, the fountainhead of all glory; glory that flows from him and through him and back to him! He is the dazzling one, the radiant one, the chandelier of heaven, and the Light of the World! Jesus' countenance is said to be brighter than the sun. The worth of Jesus is so stunning that the angelic host of the heavens collapse under the weight of his Glory! Literally 100 million angels catch a glimpse of Glory and fall down saying, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth, and wisdom and mighty and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).
One of the most astounding verses in Scripture is found in Revelation 20:11,
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them."
The entire universe flees away and is no more when God turns his face towards creation at the end of the age! Wow! There are simply no words to adequately describe the awesome power, presence and glory of the uncreated God. The more we understand the Scriptures, the more majestic and magnificent and awesome Jesus Christ is. May our worship, prayer and service to Him be a direct reflection of that wonder and awe!
And to think that this God is the God who pursues us, who takes delight in us, who enjoys us even in our weakness! As Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) declares, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he rejoices over you with gladness; he quiets you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
I believe it is God's aim to ravish the affections of the human race with irresistible displays of his GLORY!
We were made to know and experience the Glory of God! To enjoy and treasure the Glory of God! His glory becomes our JOY! He is our great Treasure. He is our exceeding Joy! (Psalm 34).
Amen and Amen!
Dr Jason Hubbard- Executive Coordinator
IPC Connect