Everyone is designed to worship something or someone. About a week ago, folks around the country structured their day (some weeks) around the sun and moon’s rendezvous in the sky. Many were in awe of this phenomenon and struggled to put witnessing it into proper words. Although eclipses are not by personal jam, I totally understand why so many people are drawn to things like this. The One who arranged this meeting place must really be something huh? He certainly is! What’s more is that we can know Him personally. We can worship Him in Spirit and in truth. In fact, this is what He desires. He deserves the glory and it’s actually the chief end of man to glorify Him. That leaves us to face an important question — Why wouldn’t we want to worship and praise the Sovereign Ruler of the skies? Is it because we don’t know Him? Is it because we don’t feel like it? Is it because we are so preoccupied with ourselves? Is it because we like to make a habit of denying credit to those whom it is due? Whatever the reason, we all need to know that to refuse to worship God is to engage in idolatry, because everyone worships something/someone. In the case of the eclipse, if we praise the creation but not the Creator, it’s clearly idolatry. If we praise people, but not their/our Creator, it’s clearly idolatry. I could go on, but you get the point. Idolatry, like every sin, is punishable by eternal separation with God. It’s the type of wrath we have neither experienced, nor can fathom. Although it would be just for God to give us what we deserve, from a human point of view it would be a shame that our failure to repent and believe in Him would result in such a horrific end. When contrasted with the opportunity to worship Him in Spirit and in truth every day since the time we were reconciled to Him and for all eternity, it’s almost impossible to comprehend. If only we had a metaphor, or something we could relate to (like maybe a solar eclipse?) where we could catch a glimpse of the contrast between complete darkness and a light in the sky burning bright. If only our Sovereign Ruler of the skies would show us a display of His wonder, kindness, and patience by giving us a chance to come to repentance, while blessing us in the meantime. If only we had a Sovereign Ruler of the skies whom we could say the words below about. Oh wait, we do! And it’s a pleasure to be known and loved by Him!
Sovereign Ruler of the skies
Ever gracious, ever wise
All my times are in Your hand
All events at Your command
His decree, Who formed the earth
Fixed my first and second birth
Now my life to Him I owe
Where He leads me I will go
(Chorus)
Ever faithful
Ever true
Keep my heart to only You
Since I cannot part from
Thee Sovereign Ruler ever be
Plagues and deaths around me fly
Till He bids, I cannot die
Not a single shaft can hit
Till the God of love thinks fit
Times the tempter’s power to prove
Times to taste a Savior’s love
All must come and last and end
As shall please my heavenly Friend
He that formed me in the womb
He shall guide me to the tomb
All my times shall ever be
Ordered by His wise decree
Thee, at all times, will I bless
Having Thee, I all possess
Since I cannot part from
Thee Sovereign Ruler ever be