It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2)
When they were introduced, I was skeptical of the space telescopes. Scientists wanted to find out how the universe began. I felt the question was already resolved by the Bible, and the money was sorely needed elsewhere.
I’m glad no one called me before they pushed the launch buttons, because now I look at the data sent back and I go limp. New images of the Sombrero Galaxy reveal millions of stars like our sun, spread as white grains of flour over black velvet. My veneration of God jumps.
In the 1800’s we thought our Milky Way Galaxy was the whole universe. In the 1920’s we realized the number of galaxies was tens of thousands. In 1999 it went to 125 billion, and a current estimate is two trillion and growing (thanks to the telescopes). My awe of our Maker keeps stretching.
God doesn’t need me to protect his existence by naysaying scientific endeavor. Rather, I need science to carry me past my undersized notions of God.
There are untold numbers of celestial bodies and subatomic structures that God is anxious for us to discover. In the reflection of his vast creation is the wonder of him. It is his joy that we reach into both the macro and the micro to explore the breadth of his power.
Science can carry me toward God, but, because it only addresses the physical, it leaves me outside his doorstep. I cannot resolve my greatest need with science alone. I need a supernatural removal of sin, and that is only accomplished through faith in the cross of Jesus. Nevertheless, as an increasing number of scientists are discovering, their trade expands my understanding of our breathtaking Creator Savior.
Prayer: Mighty God, oh the depths of the wonder of you I see about me.