On September 18, 2003, Brian Hudson set a mind blowing world record in the United Kingdom by somersaulting 3,333 consecutive times on a trampoline. That’s amazing! I imagine that I’d be tired and dizzy after such an accomplishment. My sons and I get sweaty after only 33 seconds on the new trampoline they received for Christmas. Of all the things they do, I haven’t seen anything make them drip sweat like jumping on that trampoline. 

One night the kids asked me if they could go jump in the dark and lay on our backs to check out the stars. We grabbed some flashlights and headed out back. After hopping around and getting sweaty, it was time to relax and lay down on the trampoline. Leafless winter trees gave way to a beautiful view of the night sky. As Knox and Eli determined the difference between stars, planes and potential satellites, I remembered that God has determined the number of the stars and their names.

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

I quickly pointed out to the boys that God knows each star by name and created all of what we gazed upon. Knox said, “Every star has a name? What are their names? Why?” “Only God knows the names,” I reluctantly replied. Admittedly, I couldn’t even remember where that verse was in the bible nor did I have a better answer for him. I walked away that night concluding that my answer fell a little short and wishing I had more to give him at that moment. 

Later that week with my tail between my legs, I dug into God’s word to find that verse. (That’s code for googling the words in the verse you remember followed by the word bible) Psalm 147 is where I landed to better understand how God could name all of those stars. My brain was itching to find a studious answer I could pull out during our next star gazing adventure when I ran into verse 5. Verse 5 slapped me and hugged me all at the same time. 

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, his understanding is beyond measure Psalm 147:5

God’s understanding is beyond measure! He understands everything so we don’t have to. Wouldn’t the creator have a deeper understanding of the creation than the creation ever could? I felt the slap because I totally miss this when I feel frustrated that I can’t quite grasp something in the bible. I felt the hug because this verse gives us permission to not have it all figured out. 

I felt disheartened for not having a good answer and I bet you have too at some point. Don’t let the freedom of Psalm 147:5 keep you from reading the bible. You can’t give up reading scripture just because you don’t understand it all. You can’t give up sharing Jesus with others just because you may not be confident in your bible knowledge. Don’t let the devil deceive you into thinking that. God has called us to do both. We know that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called!

Just fishing with my daddy, 

Ryan