He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Psalm 147:4

I gazed at the stars while I laid next to my four-year old in his twin bed, waiting for him to fall asleep. (Yes I still “lay down” with my kids at bed time, rubbing their backs or just holding them close. After all, they are only little for a little while.) Okay, they weren’t real stars. It was only Twilight Turtle projecting illuminated five point shapes across the ceiling.

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

Billions of stars. Billions of names. And not ONE is missing.

Our God is personal and relational. He speaks to the stars, calling them out by the very names He has taken time to give them.

Our God is methodical and intentional. He has not only named the stars, but He also brings them out in an orderly fashion, one by one.

Our God doesn’t make mistakes or grow weary. None of His stars will ever go missing because God dropped the ball or became too weak to hold the Universe together. No star will ever “burn out” because God is a little low on power. (Stars shine by burning hydrogen into helium, a process which God created and sustains) He is mighty and powerful beyond our understanding.

We don’t know the particular names God has given to His stars. But, collectively, I think their name is Glory.

I hesitate to draw any conclusive application to us since the stars are so clearly about God and His renown, undoubtedly deserving of our praise and honor. But I can’t help pointing something out. This kind of strength, wisdom and individual attention to detail are the character traits of a God who’s promises can be trusted. And He lovingly promises this:

What kind of trial are you facing today? God is bigger, stronger and He knows your name. Grace be with you, my friends.