The Faithful Witness

...it will be established like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.

• Psalm 89:37

For those of you who follow me on Instagram (@revshw), or who are my friends on Facebook, you won't be surprised to see pictures of the moon throughout this season of Lenten devotions. The truth is, I love to look at the moon on a clear night. Plus, I have a pretty cool camera with an awesome zoom lens.

People are enthralled with the full moon, and with good reason. But I love to see the moon in all its phases. Maybe it's because the crescent moon—not the full moon—is part of my state's flag. Maybe it's just part of my nature to pull for the “lesser things” – the underdogs, the down-and-out, the ones who don't garner all the attention and fame.

But, alas, I stray from my point. The moon, of course, is very regular and predictable in its stages. Meteorologists (who, surprisingly, study weather, and not meteors) can tell you where the moon will be visible at any point of any night; or day, for that matter, because it is not unusual to see the moon in the middle of the morning or afternoon.

The psalmist refers to the moon as “the faithful witness in the sky.” Faithful, because its movements are something we can depend on; witness, because its faithfulness is a demonstration of God's faithfulness and dependability and trustworthiness. In fact, it is in reference to the promise of God to establish David's throne forever (i.e., the promise of the Messiah, the Savior) that the psalmist draws the comparison to the moon.

God's promises are as sure as the pattern of the moon.

God has promised, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As sure as the moon--the faithful witness in the sky--we can trust in that promise.

God has promised, “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great God's love is for those who fear him...” As sure as the moon--the faithful witness in the sky--we can trust in that promise.

God has promised, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” As sure as the moon--the faithful witness in the sky--we can trust in that promise.

God has promised, “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come.” As sure as the moon--the faithful witness in the sky--we can trust in that promise.

You get the picture, don't you? Next time you look at the moon, behold its beauty—even if it isn't a full moon. Behold its beauty, but even more, look at the moon and recognize that it is a witness to God's faithfulness and love.

The Bible calls the moon God's “faithful witness in the sky.”

I tend to agree.