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,
And the son of man that You visit him?
(Psalm 8:3-4)
I read recently that some of the planets around us like Mars go into “retrograde” every few years. I’m not a stargazer or astronomer so I had no idea what that meant, so I did a little research. It was hard to find articles that didn’t want to talk about astrology and how all this will affect our lives, and what we should do and not do during this time period. All I know is when I look up into the sky at night I marvel at the universe created for us.
The Bible has much to say about the stars. Most basic to our understanding of the stars is that God created them. They show His power and majesty. The heavens are God’s “handiwork” (Psalm 8:3; 19:1). He has all the stars numbered and named (Psalm 147:4). The fascination with astrology and horoscopes undoubtedly reflects people’s desire for wisdom beyond their own and direction for the future. Astrology is the ancient belief that a person’s destiny can be found in the pattern of the stars and planets at the time of one’s birth. The “horoscope” is the chart that attempts to describe that destiny. The Bible mentions the astrologers in the royal court at Babylon and their inability to tell or interpret royal dreams (Daniel 2:10-11 and 4:7). Isaiah the prophet spoke of astrologers with derision: “Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you” (Isaiah 47:13).
In Romans 12:2, Paul directs us to have our minds renewed to discern the will of God. Many people turn to the stars and planets to try to discern what the plan is for their life. Is that the true source we need to be consulting? Billy Graham wrote the following about Christians seeking to find answers through astrology:
“Astrology is offensive to God because it attributes to planets and stars the power that belongs to God alone and because it tries to find the will of God by other means than God has appointed. Throughout the Bible God tells us that He will guide us; read Psalm 23:1-2, 25:9, 12, 32:8; Luke 1:79; and John 7:17. A Christian has no need of astrology with its futile hints because believers can turn instead to the guidance of God’s Word.”
When renewing our minds, the best source available to us to discern God’s will is His Word – that will direct our steps much better than any star chart.
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His heavenly armies! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! They are to praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree, and it will not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters, and all the ocean depths; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; Animals and all cattle; Crawling things and winged fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Rulers and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. They are to praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven. And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones, For the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 148:1-14 )
Dead Man Walking 
Leave a comment