God’s Universe
The material heavens as they appear to our eyes include the space where the sun, moon, and stars exist (Genesis 1:1, 8, 9, 14, 16, 17, 20). A look at the open sky with the naked eye is enough to impress upon the beholder a sense of God’s greatness. How much greater is that view when the heavens are seen through modern high-powered telescopes.
God created all of these heavenly bodies with wisdom, power, skill, and benevolence. It all reflect His glory. The Psalmist declared, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalms 19:1).
How Many Stars Are There in the Universe?
This question has captivated scientists as well as philosophers throughout the ages. On a clear night, a person may be able to see a few thousand individual stars with the naked eyes. With even a modest amateur telescope, millions more will come into view.
Counting the stars in the Universe is like trying to count the number of sand grains on a beach. We might do that by measuring the surface area of the beach, and figuring the average depth of the sand layer. If we count the number of grains in a small representative volume of sand, by multiplication we can estimate the number of grains on the whole beach. Likewise, for the Universe, the galaxies are our small representative volumes.
Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy. The entire galaxy numbers about 100 billion stars. And beyond the Milky Way there are around 100 billion galaxies that are known to exist with many shapes and sizes.
Taking the Milky Way as an average galaxy, the total number of known stars in the universe would be (100 billion)2=(1011)2=1022. These estimated stars number 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, when we write this number out. This figure would be pronounced as “ten billion trillion” stars. Further, new scientific technology continues to discover new heavenly bodies in God’s vast universe.
God’s Special Interest in Each Star
What is even more amazing that God “counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Psalms 147:4; Isaiah 40:26). What wisdom and power are displayed in creating and guiding the countless hosts of stars and in their particular spheres!
Yet, He who controls the mighty suns in their orbits, is the Great Redeemer of mankind and is touched by every pain that pierces the heart of every person. And He stoops down to help those who are of a humble spirit. Nothing that in any way concerns our happiness is too small for Him to notice. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground” (Psalm 147:3, 6).
Therefore, believers need to praise the Lord for His infinite goodness and mercy (John 3:16). Man owes so much to God by creation and redemption and man needs to show gratitude to His Maker and Redeemer (Psalm 106:1). “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart” (Psalm 111:1).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
