One of the things that has fascinated me for years is the study of the universe. I am often struck with awe at each new discovery, especially the ones that show the immeasurable vastness of the universe and the intricacies of creation in general.

At one time (some still do apparently) people thought the earth was flat. However, when scientists and explorers discovered that the earth was round, we were amazed that all the water didn’t run to the bottom. Yes, we know its gravity, but it’s God’s gravity.

Still others thought that the sun revolved around the earth. When astronomers discovered that the sun was ‘stationary’ in space and the earth spins and rotates around the sun at exactly the right speed and distance, so that we don’t freeze or burn, and the four seasons occur, I am awestruck. Yes, I know planets have set courses, but it’s God’s courses they are on.

And if that isn’t enough, did you know that the earth rotates at an average speed of 1,600 km/h, and it travels around the sun on its course at 107,000 km/h? Amazing!

Today’s astronomers estimate that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all the beaches of the earth. The earth is part of the Milky Way galaxy and astronomers estimate that there are more than one hundred thousand stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone.

There are estimated to be one hundred billion galaxies in this universe and the number is expected to increase as telescope technology in space improves. It’s mind boggling. In fact, it is so mind boggling, that some people begin to question how God, who created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1) can manage all of this complexity. Hence, we have other creation theories such as the big bang etc.

Back to earth. Many years ago I was taught to sing a song at Sunday School that went like this: “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, There's nothing my God cannot do, …He made the trees, … the seas, ... the elephants too…The mountains are his; The rivers and valleys are his; The skies are his handy works too; My God is so great, so strong and so mighty; There's nothing my God cannot do…for you.” Perhaps I should revisit that song more often and sing it again.

Yet the question remains, “Why did God make the universe so big and why did he make this planet, perhaps the only planet with life on it, so beautiful?” The biblical answer is, “For his glory.” The Psalmist writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands, day after day the pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” (Psa 19:1-2).

The vastness of the universe and its endless intricacies are there to make me focus on my amazing creator God and glorify Him. The vastness and intricacies of this universe is not about me and with respect, it’s not about you either. It’s all about God’s glory and that we as his image bearers will also reflect his glory. God knew that sinful man’s tendency is to try and put Him in a box.

He also knew that the day we think we have God measured by our small, limited minds, will be the day we may give up on God and that is the last thing He would want for us as his image bearers. JB Philips wrote the book, “Your God is too small.” In it he challenges Christians not to think too small of God.

Sadly, many of the seven billion ‘image’ bearers walking on the earth today do a very poor job in reflecting our Creator’s glory, for that was our purpose from the time God created us in his image (Gen 1:27ff). One of the devastating reasons for that is the effect of sin in this world.

Paul, writing in Romans 1:18-20 says “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Thankfully, God in his mercy has visited us in the person of his sinless Son, who offered his very life as the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sin of all who would repent and believe in his completed work, not only on Good Friday, but also Easter Sunday morning when He rose victoriously from the dead so that we can share in his glory eternally (Jn 17:24). Wow! If it were not written in holy Scripture and the Holy Spirit convicting me that such is the great mercy and grace of our Creator God, it would be far too hard to fathom.

Have a blessed Easter as we worship our amazing, risen, Creator, Triune God. JZ.