Eyes to the Sky
Much of the nation had their eyes to the sky yesterday during the solar eclipse. Hundreds of thousands converged in various "totality zones" from Oregon to South Carolina to experience a total eclipse of the sun.
Schools let out. And `rank`ly I do not understand why any school within sight of the eclipse would not have let students freely enjoy the sight with their family and friends. At bare minimum it should have been an excused absence! We wonder why interest in science is failing, and then we have schools that will not even embrace one of the most magnificent astrological events most students will ever have an opportunity to witness.
Personally, I set out on an hour drive from my home yesterday morning to the town of Scottsburg, IN. Discovered the Ace Hardware there had glasses. That place was packed out! The business manager there was thinking ahead, because as far as anyone of us in line could tell, he had the only available glasses in all of Southeastern Indiana! It was a unique social event - waiting in line at the hardware store. I chatted with a gentlemen behind me. We joked with a woman further back in the line. And two Mennonite women made their purchase just in front of me. It was eclectic fun!
And my wife, daughters and I enjoyed popping in and out of the house as we watched the total eclipse live on TV while also enjoying the 95% eclipse in our front yard. We noticed our neighbors in their yard with no glasses, and several times during the event, we walked over to share the glasses with them. And we commented to them on the creation glorifying the Creator! And they agreed. It was nice sharing that moment with them.
So, just a few observations:
- The way so many TV scientists referred to this amazing creative act of God was infuriating. Perhaps even demonic. I heard noted scientists call this a "cosmic coincidence." Yep. Makes perfect sense that the moon just "happens" to be 400 times closer and 400 times smaller than the sun. And that's why we even know of such a thing as a total solar eclipse. And makes perfect sense that we can predict the exact dates of these events years in advance. Give me a break! This thing was no accident or coincidence. Our cosmos is ordered to reflect the Perfect Orderliness of our Creator. No wonder kids hate science when we have stripped God's glory from it and made everything magnificent a mere coincidence of "mother nature." But I guess if our kids think they too are just cosmic accidents, then why bother getting excited about just another accident?
- To gaze at the eclipse yesterday and somehow be able to shut out the radiance of the Creator is a sure sign of spiritual deadness. And if scientists and teachers and parents and children do not repent of it and cry out to the Creator God in Christ for forgiveness and mercy, there will be hell to pay (Romans 1:18-32). Christian parents, please tell me you did not miss this opportunity to speak of God and the glory of His salvation in His Son and our Savior?! So many spiritual analogies could have and should have been made as we stared upward yesterday.
- Our word "eclipse" derives from a Greek / Latin word meaning "abandoned." The ancient Greeks thought the sun was abandoning the earth during such an event. Now think about this in relation to what God did while His Son, Jesus, hung on the cross for the sins of the world.
"Now from the sixth hour to the ninth hour (noon to 3) darkness fell upon the land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' which means 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'" Matthew 27:45-46
- Wow! Another cosmic coincidence? No way! God dimmed the light of the sun for 3 hours as He poured out His wrath against the sins of His people on the body of Christ. It was my darkness that enveloped my Savior that day. It was the darkness in our hearts that eclipsed the Light of the World that day. He was shrouded in our evil, and eclipsed, abandoned. So that all who trust in Christ alone for salvation might bask in His light and life forever and ever. Hallelujah!
- Where I live, we had only about 95% eclipse. I was actually shocked that it didn't get any darker than it did. I expected more wow factor regarding the dimness. But goodness is that fire ball in the sky powerful. It was lighting up my world with just a sliver of its rays. And if you think the sun is powerful, just wait until you turn your eyes to the sky one day to be blinded by the brilliance of the King of Kings who is the Light of Heaven.
"Behold He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." Revelation 1:7
- Darkness always loses. Light always wins. The moon lost the epic battle yesterday. It looked victorious for a few short minutes or hours. But nothing can stop the Son!
"He is not here. He has risen, just as He said." Matthew 28:6
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war." Revelation 19:11
"And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:5
Keep your eyes to the sky brothers and sisters!
by Keith McWhorter