Pillars of Creation
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.” 1 Samuel 2:8
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched into space in December 2021. It’s purpose is to take infrared pictures of far space. One of the first pictures that was posted on the NASA website was of a formation called the Pillars of Creation. It was so named because they believe there are stars being created in that formation. It is 39,000,000,000,000,000 miles away.
I love science, and am amazed at what God has allowed man to know. When I see the images from the JWST, it reminds me of the awesome God I serve. The Psalmist says it this way. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Psalms 8:3-4. David was amazed that the God who created the heaven and earth would even have any consideration for tiny little humans. In the scope of creation, we are pretty small.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalms 19:1. The reason I love science, is because when I see the discoveriesmade, it always reminds me of God’s glory. I see it in the images from space, and also in the amazing things discovered on this earth, to the amazing creation that is the human body.
When we understand this planet on which we live, we realize that God created it in a very particular manner to sustain human beings. From the size of the planet to the distance from the sun to the exact composition of the atmosphere, everything is very precise to allow us to live here. “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him?” Isaiah 40:12-13. Science would like us to believe that this is all just an amazing coincidence of chemicals and elements coming together to form our world and the creatures that live in it. Frankly, that requires far more faith than believing that God created it.
God has always intended for creation to speak about Him. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20. Man’s willful ignorance of God is simply rejection of God’s presentation of Himself. Man’s prideful thinking about what he knows is simply ridiculous in light of God’s existence. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job 38:4. We only know what we can see and experience in our finite existence, but God has always been.
What is even more amazing is to consider that God not only made this planet specifically for us, but that He sent His Son to die for us to bring us into a direct relationship with Him. Jesus, who is the creator and by whom all of this is sustained, came to give Himself for us. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:1-3.
How could we not be humbled by this knowledge. God has revealed Himself to us through His creation, and we can clearly see and understand His glory. If this does not humble us before God, it is because of willful rejection of His extension to us. His longsuffering towards man is incomprehensible, but it should bring forth praise and worship from our hearts and our lips. He has made a way for us to enter into His presence, and we must consider that the greatest privilege we have.
Consider your creator today and seek Him.
The picture of the Pillars of Creation can be found on the internet by searching JWST Pillars of Creation.
