BE ENCOURAGED

 

JULY 3, 2024

Psalm 8 

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

In this Psalm, David expresses wonder at how God displays His power through the most vulnerable. Babies and infants are the living proof that the wonder of humanity marches on. David is amazed by the thought that the God who created the heavens is mindful of  all humankind. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Yet, God put a crown of “glory and honor” on our heads and gave us, the poem says, the responsibility to rule over his creation. You made them rulers over the works of your hands

That’s quite an assignment to trusted with! 

Psalm 8 drives home for us the truth that God has his sights and thoughts directed toward you and me. Doesn't Psalm 8's message grab you? Look Up, You look at the heavens, the sheer magnitude of the universe, the moon and all the stars, made by God, and yet! And yet, God cares for the human inhabitants on earth. It is remarkable how the Almighty God shows such grace and kindness by bestowing his attention, mindfulness, and care upon the people on this tiny planet compared to the immense expanse of the universe.

The Creator of all has chosen us as his representatives. Let that sink in. No wonder David, twice in this Psalm bursts out with Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

We Matter to God! God has his eyes focused on you and me. I can't speak for you, but let me just say that "I am blown away that the Creator of the heavens and earth, chooses to work through me." Through all of us. 

I know, sometimes we can feel very insignificant. Our identity gets wrapped up in things we have and things we do. We compare ourselves with others and wind up feeling inadequate. 

Let me suggest that today we look up, look up and consider the heavens, the work of our Creator's fingers, the moon and the stars, which our amazing God set in place. Then remember that this very Creator is the one who places value and responsibility on you to represent him to the world. Let these thoughts encourage and renew you.