The Planet Venus

In June 2012, thousands watched as the planet Venus passed in front of the sun. Although similar in size to Earth, it looked like a small speck of dust on the surface of the sun. Think how much smaller humans are than Venus.

David writes, “For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14, NIV). Solomon laments, “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20, NIV).

Comparing people to dust reveals how amazing God’s love is for rebellious sinners. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden, they broke the bond of fellowship with their Creator. They doomed the entire human race to everlasting punishment. Moreover all of us have followed them in rebellion against the Lord. But God the Father was not willing to lose the fellowship of sinners. He sent his Son into the world to redeem us from the bondage of sin. Let us praise the Lord Jesus! He was willing to leave the glory of heaven for specks of dust. I think that is amazing.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NIV).

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A Winter Wonderland

A thick layer of freshly fallen snow covers the yard like a pure white blanket. Tiny crater-like holes are scattered haphazardly under the trees—the result of snow falling from branches. The tracks of a rabbit cross the backyard. The ditch by the road shows evidence of children tumbling down the incline as they wait for the school bus.

Without the snowfall, I would never have known that a rabbit had scampered through the yard. Without the snowfall, I would not have realized that children liked to slide into the ditch. Free of snow, the trees would not bow down and shed their heavy load.

I was unaware of all these activities taking place in my yard. It took the snowfall to reveal them. Likewise, we are unaware of sin in our lives until we gaze upon the holiness of God. His purity sheds light on our sinfulness. Like Isaiah of old, we will fall down in dismay.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5 NIV).

If you feel like this, do not fear. Jesus paid the penalty for sinners. If you believe that Jesus died for you, then he will remove your guilt. Look to Jesus and live!

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