The Eclipse, God’s Glory, and the Gospel
written by Michelle Hamann
As much of the country paused this week to witness the celestial spectacle of a solar eclipse, I was reminded of what the psalmist said in Psalm 19:1—the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.
Creator God: Ruler of all nature
The eclipse was a stunning display of the natural world, showcasing the immense power and majesty of God as the Creator. It reminded me of His sovereignty over the cosmos, as He orchestrated the movements of celestial bodies with precision and purpose (Psalm 135:6; Jeremiah 5:22). This eclipse has been a long time in coming—it was no accident!
It is not merely glory that the heavens declare, but the “glory of God,” for they deliver to us such unanswerable arguments for a conscious, intelligent, planning, controlling, and presiding Creator, that no unpredjudiced person can remain unconvinced by them.
C. H. Spurgeon
Witnessing the solar eclipse was also humbling as I thought about my smallness in the vastness of the universe (Psalm 8). It really underscored the reality that there are forces and phenomena beyond my control or understanding.
What a vivid reminder to me of my total dependence on God—the One Who holds the entire universe in His hands (Colossians 1:16-17)!
I sing the wisdom that ordained
“I Sing the Mighty Power of God” Isaac Watts
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command,
And all the stars obey.
So that they are without excuse
My mind was also taken to Romans 1 where the Apostle Paul writes that God has made Himself known to humanity through His creation—general revelation. Paul argues that God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen and understood through what has been made, so that people are without excuse for not acknowledging Him.
I don’t know how clearly you were able to see the eclipse, but we were in the direct path of totality. It was as dark as twilight for almost four minutes! The moon temporarily obscured the afternoon light of the sun—even the creature world was a bit confused! I was reminded of the presence of sin and evil in the world, which easily obscures the light of God’s truth and love.
The whole world was lost
in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Paul emphasizes that the evidence of God’s existence and attributes is apparent in the natural world, compelling all people to recognize and honor Him as the Creator. However, despite knowing God’s existence through creation, often they reject Him and turn to idolatry (Romans 1:19-20).
But, just as the sun eventually fully emerged from behind the shadow of the moon during an eclipse, Jesus—The Light of the World—has overcome the darkness through His redemptive work on the cross.
Like sunshine at noonday,
His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Overcoming darkness through Jesus
The Gospel of John (John 1:4-5) emphasizes that Jesus is the Word who brings life and light to humanity: “In Him [Jesus] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not [did not overcome it]”—special revelation.
Later in John 8:12 Jesus confirmed this by saying,
“I AM the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Here Jesus underscored His divine nature, His mission to bring salvation to humanity, and the transformative power of faith in Him (Colossians 1:12-14). By following Jesus, we can be freed from the darkness of sin, ignorance, and spiritual blindness. We are granted access to the “light of life”—the abundant and eternal life that Jesus offers through His Word, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection.
In the book of First John, it tell us that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Consequently, if we then walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and His blood cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:5-7).
Following Jesus leads to forgiveness, to satisfaction, and to assurance of eternal fellowship with God.
Ye dwellers in darkness
with sin-blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash at His bidding,
and light will arise;
The Light of the world is Jesus!Come to the light,
“The Light of the World is Jesus” Philip P. Bliss
’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light
has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind,
but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
May the awe-inspiring beauty of the recent solar eclipse serve as a reminder of God’s sovereignty over creation and His desire for all to come into the light of His saving grace.
Let us walk in the light of Christ and boldly proclaim to others,