In this post, I am reflecting on the solar eclipse that occurred earlier this week. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the Sun.
All the excitement across the US as the celestial event approached impressed me. Many traveled long distances to get in the path of the eclipse. All this for a high that lasted only a couple of minutes at best. I watched a little of the coverage on TV as crowds cheered during the moment of totality.
Romance was also in the air during the event. Hundreds of couples from around the country flocked to a Russellville, Arkansas, soccer field to tie the knot at the very moment the moon covered the sun.
As I watched the coverage, some words of the psalmist came to my mind. He wrote, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1, NASB). In this verse, the expanse refers to the vertical space between the sky and the heavens. According to the psalmist, the expanse is declaring God’s handiwork.
His handiwork in the expanse includes the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, flying creatures, etc. These are witnesses of God the Creator.
It is reasonable to assume that most people who gathered to view the solar eclipse were not motivated by any convictions in line with the words of the psalmist. Nevertheless, it would be hard for enthusiasts to dismiss what they were witnessing as merely a natural phenomenon.
The Universal Message
Regarding God’s handiwork, “There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (verse 3, KJV). This verse is a reference to the universality of the language of the creations. To people of all languages, the creations communicate a powerful message. It is that there is a divine Creator of the world and its contents. Surely, the grandeur of what onlookers witnessed during the solar eclipse could not have resulted from a big bang, nor could it be the product of happenstance.
Crossing the language barriers is one of the greatest challenges to world evangelism. To accomplish this end, the Bible must be translated into numerous languages. This is also true for TV and radio broadcasts and inspirational literature.
But in all countries throughout the world, God has established witnesses for Himself. They never cease to make their voice heard. Before missionaries reach foreign soil, these witnesses are already there, endearing the only true God to the natives. Namely, these witnesses are His creations.
Because the declarations of God’s handiwork are universal, no translators are required. Whether you live in America or Africa, Poland or Pakistan, Brazil or the Bahamas, the message of God’s handiwork is clearly understood: Only by an omniscient and wise Creator can these things be so.
No Excuse for Not Acknowledging God
Based on what I have said heretofore, it would not surprise me if some who witnessed the rare solar event were drawn nearer to God in the process. Actually, that is what He expects of people everywhere. In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he reveals the reason for God’s (passive) wrath against all who suppress the truth about Him:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NASB).
According to this verse, the invisible attributes of God can be seen and understood by the visible things He has made. We can’t see God. But we can see the evidence of His eternal power through the creations. According to this verse, those who witness God’s handiwork are without excuse for not acknowledging Him as God. I submit that the recent solar eclipse was a declaration of God’s power and His attributes such as His wisdom and majesty.
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