The Parade of Planets

A couple of weeks ago I looked up into the night sky and couldn’t figure out what that “big light” was that was shining so brightly. At first I thought it was the top of a radio tower or something of that nature. But that didn’t make sense. I knew it wasn’t an airplane. Was it one of those infamous drones we’ve heard so much about lately? It didn’t seem so—after all, it wasn’t blinking or moving. Finally, I pulled out the app I have on my cell phone that shows the sky and identifies stars, planets, and constellations. (It can even give the location of satellites and the space station.) It turns out, I was looking at the planet Saturn!  In all of my years, I had never seen Saturn shine so brightly—at least not to my knowledge. 

It's being called “The Parade of Planets.” This month we are being hosted to an incredible sight as, just after dark four of the planets can be seen by the naked eye: Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Venus. Mars is of course the one with the reddish color to it. Jupiter is showing up not too far from Mars. Saturn and Venus are so close together that the brightness of Saturn is at times outshining Venus, which is often the brightest planet in the sky. To me, it’s absolutely spectacular. 

When the ancients looked at the night sky and saw the planets as we can see them this month, they too were astounded by their majesty and splendor. However, they mistakenly assumed that the planets were gods. Thus, they named them and worshipped them as such. As Paul wrote, they “…worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25 – NIV)  

The biblical writers on the other hand, point us in a different direction. Yes, as they looked up at the night sky it filled them with awe and wonder. But rather than worship the stars and the planets as gods, they realized that what they saw before them was a revelation of the power, glory, and creativity of the Creator of all things.  Thus, the psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1) And, “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.” (Psalm 97:6)  

Rather than worship the planets, as the people of God looked to the heavens they burst forth in praise, “LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” (Psalm 8:1)

As we look into the night sky this month and see “The Parade of Planets,” may it be a reminder to us of the glory and majesty of the Creator of all things. And may it be an incentive to us to lift up our hearts in praise him. 

Have a great day!  And if you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes to take a look at the night sky. 

- Pastor Tim Harris