“Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or
loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? Or
canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38: 31-32
Dear Congregation,
I have said before that if I were to
simplify the Book of Job into a single thought it would be that the Lord’s
message for Job was “I am God and you are not”. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
gives us eternal life and assurance of citizenship in heaven. By grace we are
made sons and daughters of the Almighty and enjoy a fellowship with Him that is
unparalleled. However, through the intimacy of the New Covenant, the teaching
to Job remains still. He is God and we are not.
In the above verses the Lord asks Job about his power over
the stars and constellations. How marvelous a thought, that the stars remain
almost as mysterious to us today as they were to Job. We may know what they are
probably composed of, we think we know how far away some of them are, we have
theories about their life cycle. But the truth is that the vastness of space is
still beyond our scope and reality. The atheist echoes Carl Sagan and cries
that we are the pale blue dot in the vastness of the cosmos. But then the
Atheist values his limited life more than logic should allow. Humanity wonders
what lies beyond the solar system and thousands of Science fiction books,
shows, and movies have attempted to answer according to varied imaginations.
God in His revelation to mankind is very brief when it comes to this great
expanse, “He made the stars also”. We know they are there but they are not in
our grasp or under our control. As with Job, so with us. We have no real
knowledge or power in such a vast and mysterious space. But God does!
God Created these stars and planets and nebula. God tells
us they declare His glory. Who among us can consider the heavens and not feel
small? Can you loose the bands of Orion, can you bind the Pleiades? Can you
make the hair on your head change color? Can you add an inch to your height?
Despite the technology God has allowed us to discover, He is still God and we
still are not. However, His power is something that the believer relies on for
peace and comfort. If he can bind and loose the stars in their courses, then He
can get you through a medical struggle. He can deliver you from a wicked boss
of coworker. He can give you the strength to endure loss. He can give you a
peace that passes all understanding as your heart and mind is kept in Christ
Jesus. If you know Him and live in Him and walk with Him, you have the greatest
master, ally, and friend in existence. Do not live your life as if you are God.
The weight of the cosmos is not on your shoulders. Give it over to Christ and
delight in His Gospel. He can do all things, He has saved you, and He will
deliver you. Delight in His will and rest in His eternal providential plan.
In Christ,
Pastor Basile
