It was October, 1938. The big question burned even then, almost 100 years ago, “Are we alone in the universe?” In those days, families would gather around the radio in the evening after supper to listen to The Mercury Theatre on the Air program—and others like it—that included an evening of music and news reports.
Orson Welles, a Hollywood actor and director, had adapted H. G. Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds to be broadcast on October 30, where he and other actors would perform the adaptation in a live radio broadcast.
The episode began with a clear introduction that what they were about to hear was based on a work of science fiction. The episode then proceeded to its regular programing of live music. The music was occasionally interrupted by news bulletins. These bulletins were fairly forgettable until a report came through that an unknown object had fallen from the sky on a farm in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. From there the live production escalated as it was reported that creatures were emerging from what was then being called an alien spacecraft. Then reports came in of more invaders in Manhattan, New York, saying that citizens were fleeing from the alien war machines as they released poisonous clouds of smoke. The production was so realistic that many in the listening audience, all across America, believed it to be a real “Martian invasion” in spite of the repeated notices throughout the production that it was fiction.
Source: Wikipedia.org/wiki/The-War-of-the-Worlds-(1938-radio-drama)
As Christians, we can with confidence answer the question “Are we alone in the universe?” The Bible tells us that we are not alone, that there are other inhabited worlds out there, but they are not Martians as described or made up in man’s fiction.
These other worlds and those who inhabit them are of God’s creation and though they do not visit our world, they are spectators in the great controversy between God and Satan.
But more than knowing that there are other inhabited worlds, we also know that we are never alone because our gracious, heavenly Father is ever with us.
“We are never alone. Whether we choose Him or not, we have a Companion. Remember that wherever you are, whatever you do, God is there.” The Ministry of Healing, 490
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7–10
“We can never find a solitude where God is not.” The Signs of the Times, July 14, 1881
“Never feel that Christ is far away. He is always near. His loving presence surrounds you.” The Faith I Live By, 62
“Even if we are compelled to stand apparently alone, we are not alone, for Christ is with us to encourage and strengthen and bless us. He is acquainted with every desire of your heart, with every purpose of your soul. He says, ‘I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you’ (John 14:18). Let us believe that God will do just as He has promised.” That I May Know Him, 203
Thank you, Father, that we can rest in the knowledge that You are but a breath or prayer away. With humbled and grateful hearts, we praise You as we are bound to Your side once again, with “ties that can never be broken.”