The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
March 14, 2004
In
This Issue:
To
Infinity and Beyond
by
Steve Klein
When
the World Won't Do
by
Jim
Bullington
To Infinity and Beyond
This past week, scientists unveiled a new picture from the Hubble Space Telescope of a very deep, dark corner of outer space. One scientist compared the smallness of the piece of the universe in the photograph to the amount of space a person would see if they looked at the sky through an eight-foot-long drinking straw. Yet amazingly, this tiny bit of space contains over 10,000 galaxies! For the Christian, every discovery of such previously unknown distant worlds is further testimony to the power of God's word. "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God" (Hebrews 11:3).
In the Genesis account of the creation, the making of the stars is mentioned as if in passing. "Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also" (Genesis 1:16). But almost from the beginning, mankind has looked in wonder at these sparkling gems of God's creation. The Lord Himself pointed out the countless number of the stars to Abraham (Genesis 15:5). Other ancient people played "connect the dots" with the stars to form constellations such as Orion and the Bear (Job 38:31-32).
It is good and right for men to study God's creation with wonder and awe. The stars reveal to us vital truths about their Maker and our own place in His creation. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. . ." (Romans 1:20).
The Greatness of God
The stars bear witness to the power, wisdom and glory of their
Creator. While we can barely count the galaxies in the smallest piece
of space, the Lord counts and names every star contained in them.
"He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is
infinite" (Psalm 147:4-5). It is worthy of note that in
the New King James Version of the Bible, the word "infinite"
is found only in this verse. Notice that it does not here
refer to the universe, but to the understanding and wisdom of the One
who created it.
The Smallness of Man
God's creation speaks eloquently to us not only of His greatness, but
also of our own comparative insignificance. In relation to the
vastness of this star filled universe, man is just a speck. "When
I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the
stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are
mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?" (Psalm 8:3-4).
The more we discover about the enormity of the universe, the harder
it is to understand how God could even take notice of us. The stars
humble us.
The Mercy of God
As beings who are but specks in the universe, we are so very
dependent upon the goodness and mercy of God. While we are
small compared to the stars, the stars are but a small indication of
the vast mercy and goodness of God. In Psalm 136:7-9, we learn
that we should give thanks, "To Him who made great lights, For
His mercy endures forever - The sun to rule by day, For His
mercy endures forever; The moon and stars to rule by night, For
His mercy endures forever."
On the next clear, comfortable night we have this spring, why not treat yourself to a walk outside to consider the stars? Be in awe of their Creator. Be humble. Be thankful that God's mercy toward you is as vast as the stars -- to infinity and beyond.
by Steve Klein
At one time or another, everyone has doubtless had an intense desire to possess the object of some treasured dream. In such times of longing, it is not uncommon to hear statements of a hyperbolic (not to be taken literally) nature made. In exchange for the object of our affections, we might say, "I'd give my right arm to have it." Or, "I'd give anything if it were mine." In similar fash-ion we might exclaim, "I'd give the whole world if I could have that!"
Literally, of course, there are but few things which might be worth our right arm. Likewise, no one thing could be as valuable as the whole world; no one thing that is, but the soul of man. Mark 8:36, 37. What could a man give in exchange for his soul? The world won't do! Not all of earth's treasures combined can be exchanged for man's soul.
However, when the world won't do, Jesus will! The loving Father, aware of man's bankrupt spiritual condition, provided the means for man's redemption. The lost soul, more valuable than all the earth, is offered pardon in Christ. As Paul stated, it is Christ, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sin" (Col. 1: 14). Through death ". . . by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb. 9:12). Man is recovered and reclaimed from a state of eternal ruin by God's sovereign grace.
When the world won't do man must turn to God. When other comforts fail, when other harbors are storm tossed, God yet extends the promise of pardon. The scriptures, e-ternal in their power and duration, reveal the mind of God to those who sincerely seek Him (see Jn. 7:17; Heb. 11:6; I Pet. 1:19--25). In times of deepest need the world won't do! But, in times of deepest need, the merciful hand of the Christ is extended through His Word.
By Jim Bullington,
Anderson, AL