By Tim Beer
Isaiah 40 declares in amazing detail many of the incredible characteristics of our God—who is truly unequaled and absolutely transcendent. Therefore, the chapter lifts us up when we are feeling down or discouraged.
In our times of need, we may feel, as the nation of Israel did in verse 27, that our “way is hidden from the Lord.” Deep down, we know that can never be true since our awesome God is omnipresent and omniscient, which verse 28 confirms: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.” (NLT)
For every challenging situation in life, verse 26 becomes a source of strength and encouragement: “Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” (NLT)
He knows each star individually and has given each its own name. It moves in the exact orbit God designed it for and shines light into that area of the universe. These facts are powerfully true for everyone who belongs to the Lord Jesus. If God has such a personal interest in and ongoing care for the stars, then how much greater is His concern for each one of us who are His children?
Every child of God has been born again through His grace, and He loves each one so greatly. What Isaiah 43:1 records applies to each of us: “Thus says the Lord, . . . who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’” The Lord Jesus, as our shepherd, “calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. . . . He goes before them.” (John 10:3–4) As Romans 8 confirms, nothing can separate us from the love of God (vv. 38–39). Truly, we are immeasurably more precious to God than the stars.
Just as every star is in the exact location where God placed it, so we, as His children, are in the place He chose for us. And, incredibly, He is with us in every circumstance, having promised, “I am with you always” and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5) The Lord Jesus loves to walk with us through each and every situation and invites us to follow His example: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Stars do not communicate using words, and so often, our lives speak more to those around us than our lips. The Lord Jesus stated, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16) Just as I am drawn to looking up at the stars when I walk at night, the way that Christians live in this spiritually dark world should attract people’s attention. God shines His light through us to draw others to our Savior, the Light of the World.
Therefore, when we feel discouraged, let us remember that God has a powerful object lesson in the stars for us every night. He invites us to look up in the darkness, into the sky, and remember that the same God who cares for each of the innumerable stars cares for each of us in a far greater way (1 Peter 5:7).
One day, along with every part of this universe, the stars will be no more, but our Savior has promised that we will be with Him in the Father’s house forever. (John 14:1–3).
Tim Beer, Other Overseas Service (MPH Day 27)
Originally published in Missions magazine, May 2024. For more content, sign up for a free subscription (US) to Missions at CMML.us/magazine/subscribe
