7,100 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia, a
star is blowing bubbles. The Hubble Space Telescope recently captured a picture
of this giant gas discharge. When I consider the heavens, the work of God's
fingers, the moon and the stars that He has set in their appropriate places, I
must ask, "Why does God consider humans to be His crowning creation?"
"How is it that we are the creatures that are made in His image?"
"Why would He sacrifice so much for so tiny a portion of His
creation?" "Why has He exalted earth and its tiny human population to
such a height that we are considered just a little lower than the
Godhead?"
A picture such as this generates a sense of awe and mystery. As
people consider the immensity of the universe, they typically have one of two
reactions: they are either drawn to admire and praise a Creator who could fashion
such beauty, or they consider that the universe is so big and we are so small
that humans could not possibly be important. Pause for a moment and ask
yourself, “How do I feel when I see this Hubble bubble picture?” “How do I feel
toward God?”
1
Psalm 8 (NLT)
1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night
sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
1. Image source: Science News; "Hubble telescope snaps stunning picture for its 26th birthday"; 2016-04-22; https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/hubble-telescope-snaps-stunning-pic-its-26th-birthday?tgt=nr