Advent Devotionals: Day 15

On a clear night, we can see about 6,000 stars in the sky with the naked eye.  But that’s just a fraction of the stars that exist.  Scientists estimate there are 2 trillion galaxies with 100 billion stars each, which means there are approximately 200 billion trillion stars in the universe. And some of those stars, like UY Scuti, are so big that 5 billion of our Suns could fit inside one of them!

Nevertheless, the prophet Isaiah says that all the stars in the universe fit easily into the palm of God’s hand (Isaiah 40:12).  Psalm 8 says the heavens are the work of God’s fingers.  And Psalm 147 explains that God determines the number of stars and calls each one of them by name.

Who is this Mighty Creator that knows the exact number of the grains of sand on the earth, who measures the mountains in a scale and the hills in a balance as if they were nothing more than a few bits of dust?  

Colossians 1:16 clearly states that it’s Jesus!  The helpless child, born of a virgin, born in a lowly manger, was none other than the Creator of all things.

Today, as we celebrate the Advent season, let’s remember that all things were created by Jesus and for Jesus. In other words, we exist for him and for his divine purpose and pleasure. In the words of the Westminster Catechism: “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for creating me and revealing the purpose of my life.  I exist to worship and serve and enjoy you forever. Help me to do that today.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation