By DR. ARTHUR B.
WHITING varied. The stars are not all alike — neither are the sorrows. The Word of God declares that one star differeth one from another in glory. The find ings of astronomers are in perfect accord with such a statement. There is evidence that the stars which stud our sky vary in size and in light. So it is with the sorrows of earth — they are different in nature and number. Some are more painful than others, but they all wound and they all hurt. With some, it may be the loss of a loved one; with another a great dis appointment, a frustrated hope. And still another, a broken home, a way ward partner, or a wayward child. The sorrows are as varied as the stars and, if you please, just as countless. The Scriptures speak of the stars as being without number. We just do not know how many stars there are. We can see hundreds with the naked eye, of course. Thousands come to light as the telescope is employed. The number of stars discovered is limited only by the imperfection of the instrument used to see them. We simply camiot count the stars, neither can we count the sorrows; there are too many; they are beyond our com putation. Vast numbers lie beyond our knowledge because, after all, we are only finite beings. Thirdly, I want you to notice that both stars and sorrows are divinely counted. The Word says, “He telleth the number of the stars.” We may not be able to count them, but God knows their number, He knows every star in the sky. He should, for after all, He put them all there. He is the God of all knowledge; nothing is hid den from Him in any realm. How complete and how full is the knowl edge of our God! He knows all the stars of the heavens, He knows all the scars of the heart. If no one else knows your grief, rest assured, dear friend, God does. Then, will you notice that both stars and sorrows are called by names. The Word says “He calleth them all by their name.” You see, God not only counts them, He names them. Some of these names of stars, of course, are found in His Word. How this reveals His deed and personal in terest in His creation. In the light of all this, we should not be surprised to
hear God saying in Isaiah 43:1, as He refers to His people, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Yes, He knows His own. “The Lord knoweth them that are His,” says the New Testament. My friend, that means that He knows you and your sorrows. Both the stars and the sor rows are called by name. Then, I want you to notice that both stars and sorrows are the prod uct of God’s will. We have stars and sorrows because of the divine design. We have stars because God willed them. God wanted stars and He made them; they are the work of His fin gers. Man can make many things, but he cannot make a star. God can and God did. Never forget, that back of human heartbreak there is very defi nitely the Will of God. To the child of God, nothing can happen outside cf His Will. Frances Havergal has given expression to this in her lovely hymn, “A River Glorious,” for, in the third stanza she says, “Every joy or trial falleth from above, traced upon our dial from the Son above.” We do not find it difficult to believe that God’s hand is back of our joys. But what about the trials? Do we believe that He permits the sorrow to strike us because He knows best? Both stars and sorrows are the product of God’s will. Then lastly, notice that stars and sorrows are designed to glorify God. The Scriptures assign a very definite reason for the creation of the heav ens. He did it to manifest His glory, for Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firm ament showeth His handiwork.” The primary mission of the stars is to glorify God. Why do. you think God allows the sobs and the sighs? True, He permits them for our good, just as Romans 8:28 i n d i c a t e s . But, my friends, never forget this: the basic reason is that He may be glorified in and through us. Thus Paul could say, “They glorified God in me.” This brief survey of these analogies should lead us to a closer understand ing of one great fact: it takes the God of the stars to heal the sorrows. Brok en hearts are beyond the skill of mere man to mend, but the Maker of the heavenly bodies is the mender of the human heart that is broken.
Dr. Arthur B. Whiting is a member of the faculties of the Bible Institute, BIOLA College and Talbot Theological Seminary of the Bible Institute of Los Angles, Inc. He is also pastor of the Calvary Church of Placentia. His faithful ministry of the Word of God has been greatly blessed of the Lord not only to the hearts of the students, but also to the many who have had the privilege of hearing him in churches and Bible conferences. Other articles by Dr. Whiting will appear in forthcoming issues of the K ing ’ s B usiness . imagine. Let us notice some of these striking correspondences. First, both stars and sorrows are the common possession of man. No one has a monopoly on stars or sorrows. Some may be able to accumulate vast wealth and with it much property. They can fence it in and prohibit intruders. They can enjoy it all to themselves, yet they cannot do that with stars. A man may be able to say “this is my land.” But no man can ever say “these are my stars and mine alone.” You see, the stars above are for all to enjoy; they belong to all re gardless of what else men may have. So it is with sorrows; no one has a corner on sorrows. At sometime in life we all know the meaning of heartache and heartbreak. No one is exempt from human grief and human pain. There is certainly a price to pay for living in a sin cursed world. Every home is invaded by sorrow; from the cottage to the castle; from the log house to the White House. Secondly, notice that both stars and sorrows are
NOVEMBER, 1958
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