The Sun and the Moon and the Stars (South African Bush- Day 3)

The Sun and the Moon and the Stars - Deborah MurrellI love taking Josephine, our almost three-year-old granddaughter, out to the car at night.  Before I can put her in the car, she looks up and and says “See the moon.  See the stars.”  She does this every time.  I usually take the time to look up with her and marvel at God’s magnificent creation.  I hope she never fails to marvel and be amazed at the majesty of such a sight.

We were recently in the South African bush for a few days, and the skies lit up every night with such brilliance.  And since we were in the Southern hemisphere, we could see different constellations there that we don’t see here in the Northern hemisphere.  They can’t see our Big Dipper.  Or the Little Dipper- the ones I have seen my whole life.   We can only see the Southern Cross when we are there. Wow!!! Absolutely amazing.

Oh those skies at night…unforgettable.  The few days that I spent in the bush, I read and reread Genesis 1 and the story of creation.  I marveled all over again at  the creative genius of God.

Genesis 1:14-19 tells us that on the fourth day of creation, God made the sun and the moon and the stars–the sun to rule our days and the moon our nights–to separate the light from the darkness and “let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.” God gave us the sun and the moon and the stars to light up our days and our nights and give rhythms to our lives with seasons and days and years.

Father, I pray that we will all stop to marvel when the stars come out at night.  Help us not to ignore or take for granted the incredible gift of these lights that shine brightly for all the world to see.  And  when  the sun rises each morning, may we stop and thank you for this great light that you’ve given to rule our days.  May our hearts be filled with praise and gratitude to the One who created all things.

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