From Stars to Sparrows

The Word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus says the Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him. (Zechariah 12:1)

Zech. 12:1-5, 9:9-10; I Chr. 29:12; Ps. 8:1-5; Ps. 102:25-27; Isa. 40:21-22; Matt. 10:29-31

What Is God Saying?

God used three post-exilic prophets, Zechariah, Haggai, and Malachi, to speak to the remnants of his people after they had spent years in captivity in Babylon. The Hebrews were in great need of encouragement and challenge. These prophets stressed the almightiness and the holiness of God. Zechariah especially called upon God's people to look up to the one who stretched out the heavens and ‘formed the spirit of man.’ They should recognize God's greatness in stretching out the heavens. They should also see his greatness in reaching into the depths of our hearts. Such is the one who will redeem Israel.

All the enemies of this living God and his chosen people will be defeated (Zech. 12:3). God's people shall say, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the Lord of Hosts’ (Zech. 12:5). Zechariah's prophecy points to Jesus Christ, for He will be their King. He will be their Savi0r (Zech. 9:9-10). God is able to “stretch out the heavens" and “form the spirit of man within."

How Does This Apply To Us?

This verse takes us from stars to sparrows, from the outstretched heavens to the foundation of the earth and the formation of the spirit within us. When we see the heavens, the work of his hand, our spirits join in the spontaneous song, ‘My God, how great thou art.’ But that is only the beginning. The crown of his creation, the truly baffling wonder of his creation, is humankind and the spirit that God has formed within us. We were made to be in tune with God and to walk with him in uninterrupted fellowship.

Pray With Me

I look above me. I look around me. I look inside me. Everywhere I turn, O Lord, I am caught up with the wonder of who you are and the perfection of what you have made. You stretch out the heavens. The order and the majesty, the incomprehensible reaches of this universe, are beyond all sight, and they are beyond all thought. Yet there they are visible, melting to invisible, offering proof that the heavens which you have stretched out do, indeed, outstretch us.

You created the immensity of space and the intricate and perfectly ordered world of nature. I see the little flower by the side of the road, bending to the wind. It doesn't worry about being seen. It only has to fulfil its season and scatter its seed. The timeless grandeur of the mountains, the quiet pools of water that reflect the beauty of all that surrounds them, and the brook chattering on its way to the sea- you have established the earth.

Here, Lord is the crown of creation. You have formed our spirit and made us to be in tune with you and to walk in uninterrupted fellowship. Let the evidence of your power in all above me and around me lead me to trust you with all that is within me. Calm the fears. Restore the peace. Rule the desires. Control the thoughts. You have formed our spirit within. Now, let your spirit fill me.

In the Name of Him by whose word the worlds were formed and by whose love my soul is redeemed. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

It is wonderful to know that the God who "stretched out the heavens" is the same one who speaks to us personally in his word. He is the same one who listens to our prayers with patience and loving interest. He is the same one who answers our personal needs with wisdom and mercy. Our prayers should always be flavored with the incredible wonder of who God is and the joyous faith that ‘his eye is on the sparrow’ and ‘we are of more value than many sparrows’ or stars!