Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 24
Thursday


HE CALLS THE
STARS BY NAME

READ:
Psalm 147:1-9
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He counts the number
of the stars; He calls
them all by name.
__Psalm 147:1-9
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On a plateau high above the Atacama Desert in Chile, the world's largest radio telescope is giving astronomers a view of the universe never seen before. In an Associated Press article, Luis Andres Henao spoke of scientists from many countries "looking for clues about the dawn of the cosmos__from the coldest gases and dust where galaxies are formed and stars are born to the energy produced by the Big Band."

The Bible celebrates the mighty power and infinite understanding of God who "counts the number of the stars" and "calls them all by name" (Ps. 147:4). Yet the Creator of the universe is not a remote, uncaring force, but a loving heavenly Father who "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (v.3). "The LORD lifts up the humble" (v.6) and "takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy" (v.11).

He loves us so much that "He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

British author J. B. Phillips called earth "the visited planet," where the Prince of Glory is still working out His plan.

Our hope for today and forever lies in the loving mercy of God who calls each star by name. __David McCasland

``````````````````````The God who made the firmament,`````````````````````
``````````````````````````Who made the deepest sea,```````````````````````
``````````````````````The God who put the stars in place`````````````````````
````````````````````````is the God who cares for me. __`````````````````````
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God, who knows the name of every star,
knows all our names as well.

********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 147:1-9**********************************

1 Praise the LORD! For it is
good to sing praises to our
God; for it is pleasant, and
praise is beautiful.

2 The LORD builds up
Jerusalem; He gathers
together the outcasts of
Israel. 3 He heals the
brokenhearted and binds up
their wounds. 4 He counts
then number of the stars; he
calls them all by name.

5 Great is our Lord, and
mighty in power; His
understanding is infinite,

6 The LORD lifts up the
humble; He casts the
wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing to the LORD with
thanksgiving; sing praises
on the harp to our God,

8 who covers the heavens
with clouds, who prepares
rain for the earth, who
makes grass to grow on the
mountains. 9 He gives to the
beast its food, and to the
young ravens that cry.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The book of Psalms concludes with five hymns of praise (Psalms
146-150) that begin and end with the refrain, "Praise the LORD!"
(Hebrew, Hallelujah). In Psalm 147, the psalmist calls for grateful
worship (vv.1,7) as he reflects on the goodness of God to Israel
(vv.2-3,6) and on His greatness in creation (vv.4-5,8-9). The psalmist
celebrates God's loving faithfulness in caring and blessing His chosen
people individually (vv.2-3,7) and in displaying His mighty power in
creating and sustaining His creation generally (vv.4-5,8-9). Focusing
not only on God's greatness but also on His closeness, goodness,
and kindness, the psalmist affirms that it is God alone who provides
security and prosperity (vv.13-14).