How big is the universe? If you ask an astronomer, he'll tell you that the universe contains trillions of stars, and that the most distant galaxies are billions of light-years away. Not just thousands or millions or even billions of stars, but trillions of them spread out across the vast expanse of space!

Incomprehensible figures like that make some people conclude that it is impossible to believe the Bible, for the earth and humans seem so utterly insignificant. But these mind-boggling dimensions need not shake our faith. Instead, they can increase our awe as we ponder the message of divine grace. In Psalm 8, for example, the author marvels at God's creation and mankind's smallness, and then breaks out in praise for God's greatness and care for us.

To think that the Creator who made and upholds all this immensity has focused His redemptive love on tiny creatures like us—and sinful creatures at that! He cherishes us individually as if each one were the sole object of His fatherly attention. It's amazing, as Paul testified, that Christ "loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

Instead of shaking our faith, the findings of astronomy can fill our souls with wonder. The immensity of God's creation can remind us of the immensity of God's love.  — Vernon C. Grounds