The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Last Thursday, I set my alarm for the optimal viewing time of the blood moon—2:30 a.m. This red moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, or when the sun, Earth and moon align in that order. The Earth’s shadow prevents sunlight from reaching the moon, causing the orb to glow scarlet.

Scientists view eclipses as a physical phenomenon, but God’s handprint is all over them. God formed the darkness and the light, and eclipses are part of His master design. During biblical times, celestial events served as signs from God, often carrying divine messages (Luke 21:25). The word “eclipse” doesn’t appear in Scripture, but the Bible mentions the sun and moon in contexts that describe solar and lunar eclipses.

Here’s one example:

I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.

(Amos 8:9 NIV)

The Bible actually references a “blood” moon:

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood.

(Joel 2:31 NIV).

Eclipses and other celestial phenomena proclaim God’s authority over creation. They speak of His power and majesty. They show God’s involvement in our world today. Everything that happens in nature is within God’s control.

When my alarm dinged in the wee hours, I scrambled out of bed to see His blood-red moon. Maybe God had a message for me? I also wanted a photograph for this post!

But cloud cover intervened. Instead of a brilliant red moon, I saw a distorted, murky one. Many thanks to Yu Kato on Unsplash for the title image.

Disappointment flattened me for a few seconds. I’d interrupted precious sleep for this? But while the fogginess interfered with my perception of a red moon, it did not interfere with my sense of God’s presence, His glory and grandeur. And as my eyes scanned the vast sky, I rejoiced, comforted that He controls everything in life.

Let’s wake up to God’s involvement in creation. Let’s view these celestial events—the next eclipse, meteor shower, blue moon, or comet—as God’s invitation to stand in His presence and gaze at the splendor of heaven. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1 NIV).

Thanks for reading, and as always, I welcome your thoughts! Did you glimpse the Blood Moon last week?

Immersed in His love,

Candyce