David Ray
On July 5th of this year there will become a lunar eclipse. This occurs when the earth passes between the sun and the moon for a brief period of time and its shadow passes across and darkens the moon. The moon, while not receiving any direct sunlight (during a total lunar eclipse) is still visible due to light refracted by the earth’s atmosphere. This makes it appear reddish and is sometimes called a blood moon. The best continent from which to view the upcoming eclipse will be South America; but it should be visible from North America as well.
Like so many others, I’m a fan of astronomy and am easily impressed by these cosmological events. But I’ve noticed something very sad: very few give credit to the Creator of these mesmerizing images.
It’s hard to imagine an art enthusiast seeing a piece he loved so much and not even being remotely interested in who the artist was, much less praising the artist for his work. Yet this is exactly what happens on a daily basis. God has created a beautiful home for us to live in and enjoy every day and it seems that rarely, if ever, is He thanked for it. Instead, most people go about their daily lives enjoying all the benefits He created for them but failing to acknowledge Him for it. They praise the “god” of chance and coincidence, thinking that somehow, by no higher power at all, we could not only exist in such an orderly and designed world, but that events such as this could just randomly occur (even though their occurrences are so designed and planned by God that scientists can tell you exactly when and where they will occur for centuries to come)! Consider these verses:
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God (Psa. 14:1).
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Psa. 19:1).
“Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness” (Psa. 150:2).
“Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee” (Neh.9:6).
“…the living God…giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).
As I observe these impressive astronomical events, or look at pictures of them and long for the next time I might have the opportunity to witness them, I not only thank God for caring enough about the people of His creation to create moments like these to impress us, but I also somehow feel the need to apologize to Him on behalf of an ungrateful world who refuses to acknowledge Him for His love. If they can’t appreciate the marvels of the universe He gave us for our physical good, how will they ever appreciate the sacrifice of His Son for our spiritual good?
The next time you enjoy one of these rare cosmological displays, or simply experience something as regular and beneficial as the rising of the sun and falling of the rain, please don’t forget Who blessed you with them!
