However, on a clear night, it is possible to see about two thousand stars. With some of the large telescopes now used to research the universe, astronomers can take a photograph and count about thirty billion. But there are still many more that are beyond the power of the eye of the telescope.

Sir James Jeans once suggested that there are as many stars as there are grains of sand in all the beaches of the planet. So, there’s good reason why no one has been able to number them.

Except One. “He determines the number of stars and calls each by name.” Now, that may be difficult to believe. But, when we realize His power and might and majesty, it fits right into His character.

Numbers, however, are not as important as His love. However, our great God, Who created and named the stars and hung them in orbit, is more interested in us than He is in His stars. In fact, He loved us so much that He gave His only Son for our salvation. This God of measureless might is also a God of limitless love. And this very God extends an invitation to us to become one of His children.

Prayer: How blest we are, Lord, that we are of such value to You that You willingly gave Your Son to save us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Not many people have ever heard of Mithridates the Great, King of Pontus from northern Asia Minor in 88 B.C. He was famous for his size, his strength and his skill of mastering the languages of the twenty-five nations that he ruled. There’s also Cardinal Mezzofanti, who was born in Bologna, Italy who spoke more than one hundred languages and dialects. Language is important. It connects us.

Today, philologists claim that there are between 6,000 and 7,000 different languages that people use to communicate with one another. The majority of the languages in our world flow from one person to another. Some languages exist that have never been reduced to writing. And every one of them evolves and changes. When people connect with other people in other places, languages become richer and more inclusive. Some languages add new words while other words are deleted when they no longer make sense. Some words lose their meaning and are soon forgotten.

Yet, no matter how many words there may be or how many languages are spoken, the Psalmist put things into the proper context when he asked, “Who can proclaim the mighty acts of God, or fully declare His praise?”

We will never be able to praise God as much as He deserves to be praised but we can praise Him with a heart that is sincere. If we ever begin to realize the magnitude of God’s love and mercy that saved us and now sustains us, our hearts will be filled with such joy that our voices will never cease to express our gratitude and thanks!

Prayer: Father, may we lift our voices in praise to You for Your love for us and the gift of Your Son, our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?

Who better to write of God than “the man of God?” Not only was Psalm 90 written by Moses, but beneath the number of the Psalm and before the verses in the Psalm are the words: “A Prayer of Moses the Man of God.”

What a powerful description of a Statesman and a servant-leader of God. Moses was not only God’s lawgiver and leader, but was chosen by God to bring the Hebrews out of Egypt, mold them into a nation for His service and lead them to within reach of the land He promised them.

There are marvelous statements made about Moses in Hebrews: He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and put himself at great risk. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people when he could have lived a life of sin and worldly pleasure. He decided to suffer for the sake of the Lord rather than own the treasures of Egypt as he looked to his future with his King. He left the land of Egypt unafraid of the king’s anger and wrath and never looked back because he kept his eyes on God who he knew would never leave or forsake him. In a bold move of leadership he commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and sprinkle blood on their doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

What gave him his vision, his focus, his strength and his courage? What enabled him to look beyond the fleeting moments of pleasures in a palace to an eternity with God? Where did his wisdom and insight, patience and discipline come from? Why did he refuse worldly wealth and power?

Because of his faith in the God who is everlasting.

Prayer: Lord, give us a faith that will empower us to live a life that knows no fear as we follow You each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

What’s the difference between the word “special” and the word “unique?

The word “special” implies that someone or something surpasses or exceeds the usual or normal. It could refer to an athlete who excels in his or her particular sport and has done things differently or set records that will remain unbroken for many years. It might refer to a vehicle that has been modified to meet the specifications of an owner.

But the word “unique” implies something different. The word unique means that something or someone is the only one of its kind and has no rival. “It” is not only different, but incomparable and unparalleled.

Our God is certainly not an “it.” Our God is a Person and He certainly is unique. Our Psalmist brings this to our attention when he asks, “For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?”

Of course the answer he would give us is an answer we already know: No one! There is no sun or planet in the sky that is equal to Him. Then he adds that there is no “heavenly being” - none of the angels or holy ones - who inhabit heaven who can be compared to the Lord. Our God is above all and beyond all because He created all.

So what are we to do? We are to “greatly fear” Him and understand that He “is more awesome than all who surround Him.” Our “fear” of Him will create a “respect” for Him and when we recognize how “awesome” He is, we will worship in spirit and in truth, in love and humility.

Prayer: Gracious and loving Father, open our minds and hearts to Your greatness. May we worship You in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?

Some years ago J.B. Phillips wrote a compelling book entitled, Your God Is Too Small. Most of the world was startled by its title. What could he mean that the Creator of heaven and earth and everything in it and on it could possibly be too small?

His purpose was to expose those of us who did not believe that our God was big enough or wise enough or powerful enough or compassionate enough or even willing to solve the problems of the world. Surely, he reasoned if He was, and if we who called Him Lord, had enough confidence in Him and concern for the world’s issues, we could expect Him to do something about them if we prevailed in prayer.

Sometimes we picture God as though He were Lincoln sitting in an arm chair looking out into the distance from His perch in Washington. Other times we picture Him with a flowing white beard having no place to sit as He floats around the universe. Some picture Him peeking over a cloud looking at the “mess” He created and wondering what to do.

Psalm 65 sees God as the Creator of all things and the One to whom all things - great and small, big or little, important or insignificant - belong. Additionally, He sustains His creation by His constant involvement in everything: from falling rains to the harvesting of grain.

But it does not end there: He is not only the Creator-Sustainer, He is the Redeemer-Savior. One day, He will reclaim His universe and make all things new!

Prayer: Lord, increase our faith to exceed the size of our problems knowing that You can do the impossible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 65:5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,

Scripture contains many words to describe God. They occur throughout the Bible. In Psalm 36 there are four short sentences that contain four words to describe God’s greatness: Love, faithfulness, righteousness and justice. Then, there is one short phrase that tells us how He applies those characteristics: He preserves both man and beast. Because of His character, God holds all of His creation together. Creation is because of Him.

What is so interesting here is that within a few verses David moves from the darkness that possesses the human heart to the light that comes from God. It all starts with His love - a love that will never fail and will never end. God’s love is revealed in His faithfulness.

If we were not able to depend on God being faithful at all times and in all situations, His love would be worthless. Imagine how tragic life would be, if when we needed God’s grace or mercy, He was “unavailable” for three weeks. Love and faithfulness belong together!

Yet there is more! God is also righteous and just which affects our salvation. It is His righteousness that allows us to “become righteous” - to move from darkness to light - and have fellowship with Him. But if He were not just, some of us might not qualify for His salvation. What if we had to meet certain financial requirements that were beyond us? What if we were disqualified if we could not pass a test that was designed for those with a high IQ? What if we were unattractive or shy?

But, ”What if’s” do not count. “Whosoever” does!

Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Your grace that is well beyond our imaginations but not our needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

Martin Luther once wrote to a friend, “Your thoughts of God are too human!” That certainly was not true of David.

David saw the greatness of God and the glory of His creation: “O Lord, our Lord the majesty of Your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens!” Perhaps he was thinking about the time when there was nothing and no one but God. Perhaps he was allowing his mind to wander and entertain the idea that God chose to make Himself known to man. It may have been that David was “awe-struck” to think of the possibility that he could actually communicate with God or get His attention by calling on Him.

And he continues His thoughts about the greatness of God when he writes of His “majesty and glory” - the power that He has over the heavens, the earth and all that is in and on the earth. Nothing is beyond Him.

Notice two very important things: David begins with “O Lord” - describing his personal relationship with God. He knew that by “speaking” His name he would get God’s attention. How impressive is that! This powerful God is present with him at that moment and is personally concerned about him and will respond to him if he calls upon him. And this is just the beginning.

Notice that “O Lord” is followed by “Our Lord” which includes all of us. God, speaking through David, wants us to know that He, this “majestic” God, is always thinking of us, watching over us and concerned about us.

Prayer: O Lord, Our Lord - how humbling it is to know that You, our Creator, are also our Companion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!