The total solar eclipse – where the moon completely blocks the face of the sun – visible over a large area of North America on April 8, 2024, has generated an understandably large amount of interest. While such events of totality occur somewhere on the globe about every 18 months, this is the last one that will be visible in the United States for more than 20 years. These events are very predictable – so predictable, in fact, that NASA asserts they are able to predict them for a thousand years into the future. Scientists are able to predict with accuracy the exact path of the eclipse (within only a few feet) and the exact time of the event (down to the very second)! How is this possible?

It is possible because we live within a very orderly universe which operates under physical laws established by the Creator. The Bible says it this way:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1)

And further . . .

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him?” (Psalms 8:3-4a)

The eternal God, creator of the heavens, designed planets, planetary systems, stars, star clusters, solar systems, constellations, galaxies, and a host of other celestial bodies. He placed them in their orbits with great care, and intricately designed their movements through space. With great wonder, humans have observed them for thousands of years, and their observations have provided inspiration in a host of ways and expressions. The Great Designer, unlike the most intelligent of humans, knew from all eternity when and where the total solar eclipse of April 2024, would occur. His precision is awe-inspiring and unfathomable.

There is a lesson to be gained from the total solar eclipse. In brief, this event occurs only when a lesser object (the moon) passes between the source of light (the sun) and the recipients of light (the earth). Similarly, the intended recipients of God’s eternal love (humans) are often in darkness because they have allowed a lesser object (sin) to enter between them and the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. (John 8:12) Jesus declared, “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:19-21)

To fully experience the wonder of God, one must do more than merely gaze into the heavens. While His marvels are on full display there, it is the Lord’s wondrous image stamped on the human heart that more fully reveals His glory. That divine stamp occurs when one is born again (John 3:3-7) – when Jesus becomes Lord of the life and a new creature emerges. (2 Corinthians 5:17) That new life continues as long as nothing intervenes (eclipses) the walk in light. (I John 1:7)

Consider the heavens. Hear the declaration there, and its resounding echo within! Walk in light, and experience the transformational power of the eternal God displayed in human life. Experience the wonder of God!