Some scientists have estimated that there are ten to the twenty-fifth power stars in the known universe. For those who are not mathematically inclined, that is a one followed by twenty-five zeros (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). Still difficult to imagine? To put it in perspective, if you could count ten million stars every second, it would take you more well over 30 billion years to count them all! All these made by God and encompassed in one clause in the book of Genesis: "He made the stars also."

Look at the statement in its context: "Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also" (Gen 1:16). The assertion is simple and clear, and the truth of it, if rightly contemplated, is astounding. But as it is, the reader easily glances over it, the skeptic quickly ascribes it to myth, and even the believer is often unmoved by it. And rather than wonder at the greatness of these heavenly bodies which God has created, we take them for granted and even teach our children to say, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star." It is deplorable that our generation is so ignorant regarding the creation of the stars. If asked what God made on the fourth day of creation, how many could give a correct response? Even those partially literate in the Bible might say, "He made the Sun and the moon," and that is certainly true. But much more is there! He made the stars also! He filled the vastness of created space with these wonders of light--so magnificent that even from distances beyond our comprehension they can be seen! Light travels at about 186,000 miles per second, and yet the light from the star closest to our own sun takes years to get to earth! And even that star is unimaginably closer than the rest! What does this say about the greatness of God? What power must He possess to accomplish such a creation? "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless" (Isaiah 40:12-17). Let us not stop there, for what God creates, He intimately knows. "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:4-5). How awesome is the Lord God? How infinite in power and knowledge? Is it any wonder that we are so little affected by God, when we so little ponder what He has made?

The verse says that He made the stars also--that is to say, in addition to the sun, the moon, and all other things. Indeed, "He has made all for Himself, even the wicked for the day of doom" (Prov 16:4). It cannot be denied that a man's view of the stars reveals, in part, his view of God. A man cannot confess that God has created them and then easily deny that God has created him. And a man cannot hold a strong belief without it affecting his conduct, "for as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov 23:7). Therefore, it is not only right but also essential to the human soul to believe in God as creator. It is the most fundamental of beliefs from which flows many issues of life.

But here we have a division in worldviews. Men will not have God to rule over them, nor will they believe His truth. Although they profess themselves to be wise, they have become fools and have devised an evil doctrine that seeks to dethrone the Creator from His rightful place. Although it goes under the guise of science, it is an atheistic religion called evolution. It seeks to categorize the stars as ancient remnants of a godless universe. Those who promote it know that there is nothing more fundamental to a man's beliefs than what he thinks about origins--and in this they are correct. But when society is indoctrinated to deny creation, what is the outcome? Do we not see the results in the world around us? People both young and old who have no respect, no morals, and no restraint because they do not believe in the God who made the stars? Intellectuals who have said in their hearts, "There is no God" (Psalm 53:1), or even if assenting to His existence, practically denying Him? The scriptures ask, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3). Let God speak on the matter and ask the evolutionist, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7). "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion? Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?" (Job 38:31-33). Let men take instruction! Let them take heed to the most basic of truths: "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth" (Psalm 33:6).

Dear reader, have you gazed at the stars of late? Have you gone out from your routine to look to these heavenly bodies and see the greatness of God? Do not let the cares and worries of life keep you from this needful sight. Do not let the lights of the city prevent you from contemplating the heavens. Do not look down upon earthly matters so much that you miss the heavenly glory of God. Look up! Look up! Look up and see that you have a purpose in your existence; that your life is much more than your daily circumstances. See that there is a God who has not only made the stars but has also made you. And if He counts the stars and gives them all names, does He not notice you? If He can create and govern a multitude of stars, can He not also govern your life? And is it not an amazing thing that He, in His vast greatness, condescends to care for us? "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" (Psalm 8:3-4).

Oh consider the greatness of your creator! "He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea; He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the South; He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number" (Job 9:8-10). "Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in" (Isaiah 40:22). The One whom the angels even now praise Him in heaven for His creative power, saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created" (Revelation 4:11). Dear reader, have you bowed your knees in praise to Him?

If you would like to receive further information concerning these matters, please contact Joseph Montalto.