The moon, sun, stars, space, and our universe have always intrigued me. Since I was a boy I've had a love for t.v. shows, movies, and documentaries that paint vivid pictures and tell stories of mans space explorations. I remember being in the second grade and seeing pictures of Neil Armstrong standing on the surface of the moon in my history text book; and marveling at the thought that he was really there. Just recently I watched in excitement as NASA astronauts manned the first space flight in a ship that wasn't their own...the future of space travel truly looks limitless. Even getting astronauts to Mars in my lifetime seems possible.
As I've studied mankind's race to discover the universe, I've found things that definitely have taken me by surprise. I think because of the more "science" based and "politically correct" era that I've grown up in...I wasn't expecting that man's first trips to space were about far more than technological bragging rights.
In the early years of the space race, the USA and USSR were not only squaring off with each other; they were in a great struggle for the hearts and minds of the human race. Over 50 years ago, the Russian Cosmonaut Yury Gagarin (the first human launched in space) reportedly returned to Earth with a simple message: "I looked and looked and looked...but I didn't see God."
This dutiful report was reinforced by Kremlin propaganda posters featuring images of the cosmonaut floating in space with the slogan, "There is no God."
Shortly after, a group of American astronauts read portions of the Psalms, giving praise to God and the wonders of His creation, as they circled the globe. This message of Gods presence and power was no doubt heard by millions, just like the USSR's message before. But it's hard to say whether or not anybody's views on the existence of God were challenged or even changed by the opposing messages. I think what can be determined though, is that when some people look into the stars, they see the Creator, while others only see the creation.
When I think about American astronauts reading Scripture in space, even years before I was born, I can't help but feel overwhelming respect for their hearts. The Psalmist wrote, "Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of Him. For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command." --Psalm 33:8-9
The honor these men showed the Lord is incredible...and I selfishly wish that my children could bare witness to the astronauts of TODAY giving God the same reverence...but I know the chances of that are slim. Our world today does not tolerate such things. It would be easy to get angry at this reality, but as I push further into reading Psalm chapter 33, an even GREATER truth is revealed:
"The Lord looks down from Heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do."
--Psalm 33:13-15
Wow....just wow.
Brothers and sisters, take precious hope, that though the behavior of the human race is often beyond comprehension...God understands everything we do! We are not alone and God is always near, no matter what the world has to say about Him. Take comfort in the security of your Savior and never forget the unfailing love He has for you.
"The Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love."
--Psalm 33:18
Look into the sky brothers and sisters and see what the explorers of the stars saw before us. The universe is so much more than random creation. It mirrors its Creator in every beautiful way.
Onboard Apollo 8, as they orbited the moon, Astronauts William Anders, James Lovell, and Frank Borman, read Scripture from the book of Genesis on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968.
Buzz Aldrin recites Psalm 8:3-4 at the end of the Apollo 11 Mission:
"When I considered the Heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou has ordained, what is man that Thou art mindful of him?"
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