Starlight

I remember, when I was a child, my brother and I wanted to camp out in our front yard. We begged our parents to let us sleep under the stars without a tent, certain it wouldn’t rain that evening. We even convinced our friends to join us. It was a bit foolish; we weren’t thinking about insects, strong winds, or even the morning dew. We just thought it would be fun to sleep outside.

I think we lasted a solid hour in the dark. But once the cold wind blew and the mosquitoes landed, our imagination quickly faded, and we ran back indoors. Though we didn’t stay out long, I still remember the stars that night. They were so bright that they seemed to crowd the sky more than on any other night. I don’t think I’ll ever “grow out of” being in awe of the beauty of the stars. I don’t believe King David did either. He once wrote in Psalm 19:

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what His hands have made. One day tells a story to the next, one night shares knowledge with the next—without talking, without words, without their voices being heard. Yet their sound has gone out into the entire world, their message to the ends of the earth.” (vv. 1b–4b, GWT)

There is a wondrous song the stars sing each night. It is a song of praise to the Creator. It echoes through the heavens, declaring that His light is what we must seek. Of course, when I look at the stars, I’m also often reminded of Daniel’s prophetic words regarding the final resurrection:

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2–3)

Oh Lord, help me lead many to Your righteousness and Your love!
The heavens declare, yet often I remain silent. The stars boldly shine, yet I grow fearful and complacent. Help me to shine forth the gospel light. Help me declare Your glory to this generation.