NGC 290

Can you count them? Can you count all the stars in the above photo?

NGC 290 is a star cluster within the Small Magellanic Cloud. SMC is one of the Milky Way's closest neighbors at 200,000 light years away.

The picture above is of a mere cluster of stars located in the photo below.


How about now? Can you count them?

Even if you could count the stars in the cluster; and even if you could count the stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud; you could never count all of the stars in the heavens. There are billions of galaxies containing billions of stars. It is amazing to consider the vastness of the Universe.

More amazing is that God, the Creator of the Universe, holds it all in His hand. "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance" (Isa. 40:12)?

And the God who created the Universe also created you. "For You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13). The same God who gave the stars their names is the same God who numbered the hairs on your head.

Like the sands on the seashore and the stars in the heavens, there is something else that is too numerous to count--your sins against God. "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" (Ecc. 7:20).

How many times have you lied? Can you count them?

How many times have you looked with lust and thus committed adultery in your heart? Can you count them?

How many times have you taken God's name in vain--used His holy name to express disgust or excitement? Can you count them?

How many times have you dishonored your parents by committing any of the before mentioned sins, or disrespected them in any way? Can you count them?

As you try to total the sum in your mind, you should know that God not only considers your words and actions, but your thoughts as well. So, how are you doing? Can you count them? Can you count your sins against God?

Like the stars of the heavens, your sins against the One who created the stars are innumerable. You will one-day die and stand before Him--the Creator of the Universe, God Almighty. And when that time comes, He will judge you according to the perfect moral standard of His Law--His Commandments. "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

If God finds you guilty of breaking His Law, then He must punish you. And the punishment for sinning against God is eternity in hell. "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).

Remember, God's standard is moral perfection. "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it" (James 2:10). No matter how much you may try to minimize or justify your sin, even the slightest violation of His Law--slight in your mind--makes you guilty before the infinitely Holy God and worthy of His judgment and wrath.

Although this is tragic, there is good news!

God the Father sent His sinless Son, Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), to take upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God when He shed His innocent blood and died on the cross. Three days later he forever defeated death when He rose from the grave. So, what must you do to be saved from God’s wrath and judgment? Recognize that you cannot save yourself. Repent (turn away from your sins) and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You will pass from death into life and receive the free gift of eternal life.

The God who created you; the God who created the heavens and the earth is the only God who can save you. Please consider these things carefully. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read the Bible every day and obey what it says.