Small
We're looking at Psalm 8 - A Psalm of David.I imagine David standing outside contemplating the night sky...
As he gazes at the magnificent heavens, the hurly-burly of his daily grind fades away. Eugene Peterson translates it so well:
"I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?"
Commentators are agreed that this Psalm reflects on Genesis 1 where we learn that humankind are created in the image of God and are at the apex of creation. Being in the image of God means that we can be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This is a fact that is emphasised in Genesis 2 where God forms Adam out of clay and breathes life into him (the word for Spirit and Breath in Hebrew is the same: "Ruach").
Human beings, in spite of our frailty (both in strength and in resolve) are special to God. So special that the Creator would come as one of us to dwell with us and die for us.
When you're feeling "micro" in the midst of the "macro" take a moment to stand with David. Contemplate the majesty of the universe and embrace the still small voice of the Spirit in you that reminds you that you are special to God and that He has a plan and purpose for you!
| Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 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? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalms8:1-9) |
