Scars and Stars

When you think of God, do you think of Him as a supreme, almighty Being set apart from us or as a comforting, nurturing Father ever near? Have you ever thought of Him as both?

When we look at what God tells us about Himself in Scripture, we see that both are indeed true, and to succinctly describe both aspects of God’s nature, we say that He is both transcendent and immanent.  That is, He is wholly separate from us and yet incredibly close.

One passage that I think beautifully reveals the complexity of this two-part reality is Psalm 147:3-4 (ESV):

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

At first, it seems that verse 3 speaks to God’s immanence, while verse 4 indicates His transcendence. The imagery of comfort and care brings a sense of God’s closeness, while speaking of stars conjures a sense of immensity. It’s as if in these two verses we begin wrapped cozily in a blanket, resting in the relief that comes after draughts of pain, before suddenly being catapulted into outer-space, flung into the vastness of the universe. Our view goes from microscopic to galactic in a matter of breaths.

Taken as a pair, these two verses show the immanence and the transcendence of God, but a closer look reveals that each verse on its own does the same.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Yes, this verse shows us that God is close. He draws near, enters into the mess of our bloody wounds, and with abundant care holds us through the excruciating pain, cleans away the blood, and bandages us. But he doesn’t only do that. He actually heals us. He takes us from open wounds, to scars, to complete restoration. There is His transcendence.

Other humans can help us through our pain, to an extent. They can offer encouragement and help us stand strong, but only God can heal. He is the only One who is big enough, wise enough,  powerful enough to actually heal us—body, spirit, and soul.

“He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names” (Psalm 147:4).

Yes, this verse reveals God’s transcendence. He is so beyond us that He decides how many stars will be in existence at any given moment. That means not only can He create them and sustain them, but He can count them too. Yet he doesn’t just manage star production and lifespans. He gives each star a name. There is His immanence.

Names are a very personal thing. They relate to identity and reveal relationship. If you want to get to know someone, one of the first steps is learning his or her name. Calling someone by name shows that you value that person; actually naming someone can be even more significant. Thus, while 
knowing someone’s name is a semblance of intimacy, giving someone a name is indicative of a much deeper intimacy. So when God names the stars, He shows that He is intimately involved in their existence. He creates them, but then He continues to hold them together. He determines not only their existence but their identity as well.

These verses, both individually and as a pair, remind us, then, that God is both wholly other and intimately nigh. He is holy and powerful yet compassionate and gracious. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist began with these words:

“Praise the LORD!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting”

(Psalm 147:1, ESV).

Fitting, indeed, for He is far enough above to see and know all yet close enough beside to hold us and minister to our deeply felt needs.

Praise be to God! There is none other like Him!

To read the Arabic translation of this post, click here.

.لقراءة الترجمة العربية لهذا المنشور إضغط هنا