Jupiter

​Scientist Palmer Bailey, “the stars and rocks guy” airs a heavenly radio segment each week called The Northern Sky.   In a fresh broadcast he shared that the planet Venus, after the Moon, is the brightest natural object in the night sky and is referred to as the “evening star.”  Normally we see it in the southwest.  However, as Palmer tells us, recently the brightest star in the sky has not been Venus but rather Jupiter.  Once every thirteen months the earth passes Jupiter in its slower, larger orbit an event called “opposition” because Jupiter appears in the eastern sky exactly the opposite direction from the setting sun.  

Jupiter is eleven times the diameter of earth and its mass is 317 times greater. The king of planets has 63 moons, the four largest of which were discovered by Galileo.  When it rotates closest to our planet we get a beautiful bright light in a dark sky and that fits nicely to the point Palmer makes next.  
 
Meditation
Psalm 8:3,4--When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?  
 
Most people for a multitude of reasons will not notice Jupiter.  Sadly, how many will also not perceive the greatest Light ever sent to earth, God’s Son? King David noted in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.”  God put in spin the planets and as Max Lucado wrote in 3:16, “Our universe is God’s preeminent missionary.” Looking above, Israel’s poet wondered why God should remember and look after us.   I suspect when David peered into the heavens and saw the Milky Way, the moon, and countless constellations, he was more than a bit inspired by the love of the One who came before him and from him.  
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Should you observe the brightest of stars shining opposite a vanishing sun, thank God for the reminder of His handiwork!   Sing with the glory chorus that is all around us. Ask the Father for the opportunity to share with someone who may have seen Jupiter but has yet to see Jesus—the One who says about Himself, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Rev. 22:16).
 
©2010 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)