As I write this, it is the morning after the total lunar eclipse of March 2025. I stayed up all night watching and photographing it.

I have photographed astronomical phenomena over the years, and my pictures have one thing in common: They rarely adequately represent the actual event. Technically, the images are fine, but they seldom have the impact of what I saw with my own eyes.

In addition, I often cannot explain or express what I saw in words. I don't know whether the words don't exist in our language or if I'm just not eloquent enough to find them. Either way, I can't do it.

Psalm 19 is David's attempt to do that, and it is a good one. I picture him on the balcony of his palace, looking up at the sky. Maybe he remembered his youth as a shepherd. He probably saw his share of astronomical events, and I know he saw sunrises and sunsets.

David, whom God called "a man after his own heart," quickly compares the majesty of the skies to God's glory, and that is an excellent metaphor.

God is bigger and greater than we can see or understand, like the universe. The planets and stars have inhabited space since creation, and their movements and actions will continue long after we are gone, and so it is with God. Although the science behind the universe is complex and unknowable, I don't have to be a scientist or engineer to appreciate it. God is infinitely greater in knowledge and awareness than I could hope to be, but I don't have to be a theologian to know him. I know he loves and cares for me, and I can worship Him.

Verse 1 says that "the heavens are telling the glory of God," not "have told" or "will tell." Like daily sunrises and sunsets, God is consistently and eternally present.

Although much is known about the universe, and mankind has gone past the limitations of our planet to travel into space, the more we learn, the more we realize how unfit we are for living in space.

In the remainder of Psalm 19, David writes about God's laws and points out that they are as glorious as the skies. But like studying the universe, the more we try to keep God's law, the more we realize we can never do it. God's law demands perfection, and we are not perfect. We are sinners, and we cannot be in a relationship with God in our own power.

What we need is a redeemer to bridge the gap between imperfect humanity and perfect God.

God knew that and sent his son Jesus Christ to be among us and one of us. He gave his life on the cross, forever closing the gap between us and God. It is the greatest gift of all time, and because of it, we can live with God, starting now and for eternity.

Father, thank you for sunrises, sunsets, and other displays of your glory. Thank you for providing the gift of Jesus Christ and a relationship with you through his death and resurrection. May we never take your gifts for granted, but enjoy them and mirror them to those who do not know you. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the