Do we
realize how teeny tiny we are? We are like insects, tiny grasshoppers. I imagine we are much, much smaller, but the Lord had to explain it
in a way for our finite (limited) minds to understand.
Isaiah 40:22-23 states "it is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; he who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness."
Have you
ever been 28,000 feet above ground in an airplane and gazed down from the
window? I am always in awe when flying. I love the window seat so I can gaze
out on a sliver of God's beautiful creation. I look down to the ground and see
the houses, so small from above. Then I imagine the people in the and around the homes that are so small I can't even see them! We think we are so big. So
strong. So smart. So mighty. Humans think way too highly of themselves! We are so minuscule and insignificant compared to the universe. Yet we puff up with pride while living on our earth that is the
size of a grain of sand in our solar system! The picture below is a representation of the scale of Earth in our solar system, The Milky Way. The arrow shows where we are, not even visible to the naked eye in this picture.
"The Lord created the heavens and stretched them out, He spread out the earth and what comes from it, He gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it," Isaiah 42:5.
As I write this, we are on a plane heading to Houston. I look out the plane window and see clouds floating above the earth. We take clouds for granted, not realizing what an amazing gift they are from our creator. He has given us clouds to rain down water that is needed for our bodies for survival. Needed to grow our food and water our plants. Needed for our lakes and rivers. Clouds shield us from the hot sun. We just expect them to be there, not appreciating their wonder and significance, and absolutely our dependence on them for survival.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater," Isaiah 55:10.
I can see the sun here too, it doesn’t look much larger than it does from the ground. Looking directly at it makes me squint and see flashes of light when I blink my eyes. It’s the largest star in our galaxy. It’s a flaming ball of fire, up in the sky- for us- giving us life on earth. It’s the perfect distance for our survival. Any closer we would burn and any further we would freeze.
God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth, and God made the two great lights- the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light (moon and stars) to rule the night." Genesis 1:14-16.
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork," Psalm 19:1.
John Brady at Astronomy Central shows just how small we really are compared to the sun in the image below:
Here is a photo from NASA:
From
up here in the plane, the largest mansion looks smaller than a postage stamp. I can't even
see a vehicle from up here. My large SUV doesn’t seem so big anymore! Its like
a small matchbox car in which my family can fit inside. No
wonder god says GO GO! Spread the good news! Tell everyone! Don’t sit in your
teeny home and think your something big! You're not! Anyone who thinks they are
something deceive themselves,
"for the wisdom of this world is folly with God," 1 Cor 3:19. Life is a wisp of air, James 4:14 "what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
It's gone just as fast as God could end the earth in his one breath! A vapor!
"for the wisdom of this world is folly with God," 1 Cor 3:19. Life is a wisp of air, James 4:14 "what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
It's gone just as fast as God could end the earth in his one breath! A vapor!
We are
descending. We are in the clouds. I cannot even see earth. It's hidden under the
clouds. I can see miles and miles of land. It's so different from the small
distance I can see while on the ground. Imagine God seeing it all in one
picture, but seeing every move and every thought of every human on the earth. The land is all green with specks of muted color. Roads
look like drawings in the sand made with a stick. Acres and acres of trees look like
the top of a piece of broccoli. I see homes, still appearing as if I could hold them in the palm of my hand, coming into view as we
descend. Huge light posts with
lights shining that appear as small as a candle flame. The earth is lit with small candle flames. I can see car lights moving like little glowing specks. Small white clouds
floating just above. Huge buildings that look like they were built out of Lego's. Rooftops perfectly
positioned in rows. Swimming pools that look like a drop of blue water. I see a other plane in the distance that looks the size of a bird. From my view, I contemplate how people can be inside something so small. I see more Lego buildings in the distance that look like a city on a
hill. I see an 18 wheeler, again like a matchbox car. It felt like I could put my fingers on it and
push it, or pick it up, like in a super hero movie. Finally, everything is coming into
view. We are back to our size. Small. As I gaze into the sky, I ponder what I
have experienced in the past 2 hours. Its amazing, a split second glimpse from
heaven at an earth the size of a grain of sand.
Gaze at his glory- a gorgeous sunset, floating clouds, and rippling water. Spectacular!
