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Psalm 111:1-6
Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.

The word “ponder” means to “seek with care, consider something deeply, and thoroughly, meditate upon.” There are many of God’s great works we could ponder but for today let’s consider one aspect of God’s great creation—the stars.

Our sun, powerful enough to burn our skin and draw oxygen from every plant on earth, is a wimp among the stars. If the giant star, Antares, were positioned at the same location as the sun—93 million miles away—Earth would be inside it! The sun and Antares represent just two of 500 billion stars that swim around the vast galaxy of the Milky Way! A dime held out at arm’s length would block 15 million stars from view if our eyes could see with that power.

The galaxy Andromeda lies close enough (a mere 2 million light-years away) to see with the naked eye. It showed up on star charts long before the invention of the telescope. It is twice the size of the Milky Way and home to one trillion stars. Ready for this? The Milky Way and Andromeda are only two of one hundred billion galaxies all swimming with stars.

Tonight, take some time to go outside and look at the stars. Remember, the same God who set the stars sent His Son to die on the cross so you could be His child forever. Ponder that!

Father, all of Your works are great. I am in awe of Your power and Your love that allows me to know You in a personal way. Slow me down to ponder Your great works in the universe and in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.