Stars and Sand

Posted on September 22nd, 2009 
A team led by an Australian astronomer calculated the number of stars in the known universe to be 70 sextillion—7 followed by 22 zeros. That unfathomable number is said to be more than the grains of sand in every beach and every desert on earth. The calculation was the by-product of research on the development of galaxies. One team member said, “Finding the number of stars is not really the research we were doing, but it was a nice result to play around with.”
Having an estimate of the number of stars can help us praise God with greater awe and wonder. Psalm 147 says: “It is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. . . . 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” (vv.1, 4-5).
This psalm not only presents God’s majesty, but it also affirms His personal concern for each of us. He “heals the brokenhearted” (v. 3), “lifts up the humble” (v. 6), and “takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (v. 11).
Let’s praise the great God of stars and sand who knows and cares for each one of us.
— David C. McCasland