Blood Moon II

He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? – Luke 12:54-56 NIV

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? – Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ – Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

Not long ago I photographed the blood moon (pictured above), caused by a total lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs when earth gets between the sun and moon, casting its shadow on the moon. I took this picture on the very day of Purim, which commemorates the divine salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire, where they were rescued from Haman’s plot to destroy them all in one day (See the short book of Esther in the Bible for an interesting read).

King David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned the words to the above Psalm about 3,000 years ago. Before David became King of Israel, he was a shepherd. During this phase of his life, he lived many days and nights in the fields guarding his father’s flock. David was probably inspired to write these words as he experienced clear nights gazing up into the inky sky, pondering God and His majesty.

As his Psalm indicates, observing the night sky often gives rise to a time of reflection on just how big the Creator of the universe is – and how very very small we are.

Knowing the Plan

I wonder how David, and the ancient people, must have felt when they saw such sights as the moon pictured above.

If I hadn’t had prior knowledge of what was taking place, I have to admit I’d have felt some fear when I walked out of my tent and saw that red moon hanging in the sky. Fear of what was going on, and fear of what was about to happen next.

As it was, I had the advantage of knowing when the eclipse would take place, what time to get up to see it, etc., because I had a computer at my fingertips to supply all the information I needed.

Fortunately for all of us, God has told us His plan for this world He created. For those who have trusted in His Son Jesus Christ, it is going to end very well indeed – even if we have to go through some scary and difficult times to reach the finish line. As He tells us in the above verse in Isaiah, we need not fear, for He is going to help us through it all.

If you’re not sure how you can have a relationship with the One Who created the universe (as well as blood moons), and be ready to face God when you stand before Him – please see Got God?

Hope you have a great day. And keep looking up!