One Moon Made to Order

The Moon is the second brightest object in the sky (the Sun is the brightest), and it's the only extra-terrestrial body to have been visited by humans. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon. He uttered these historic words: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." That giant leap showed humans' weakness, compared to God's tremendous creative power. He spoke our Moon into existence, and because He cares for us, gave it properties that bless us every day.

It is common for planets to have a moon or multiple moons, but when God created our Moon, He knew that it would be important in our lives: "Then God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night…and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth'; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night" (Genesis 1:14-16).

Indeed, the Moon provides light at night, when the Sun's rays reflect from it. Also, the Moon helps us measure months, because every 29.5 days, the Moon changes from completely dark (a "new Moon") to completely light (a "full Moon"). Furthermore, the Moon's gravitational pull exerts a "tidal force" that causes the Earth's ocean tides. This circulates the water, cleans the shorelines, and helps ocean life to grow. The Moon is located about 240,000 miles from the Earth. If the Moon were 1/5th closer, tides would reach 35-50 feet higher than most of the Earth's surface. Fortunately, God "hung the Moon" in exactly the right place, and sized the Moon so that it would not pull the water violently.

God created the Universe to meet our needs, and the Moon is a critical part of that system. Remember David's words: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the Moon and the stars which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:3-4). It is wondrous to consider that the Creator of the Universe generously provides for us. Most important is His gift of salvation through Christ (1 Peter 1:8-9).

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