10th. May. 2022. Daily Devotion.
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 honour. Psalm 8:3-5.
Nothing can draw out our “oohs” and “aahs” like dazzling displays in the sky. A sparkling vista of stars, a gold-drenched sunset, a lofty landscape of clouds—all these can summon our responses of awe.
But the immense expanse of God’s canvas can also make us wonder where we tiny human beings belong in comparison. Who are we that God would even take notice of us when it seems that so much else is bigger and grander in God’s world? How could God be concerned for people who so often disappoint him?
Wait, says the psalmist; God does notice us. God created us with as much care and attention to detail as he put into the starry skies. God created us only a little lower than the angels! We have great worth because we bear the image of our Creator. And just as clouds reflect the light of the sun, we were created to reflect the glory of God.
Even more, because he became a human being like us, Jesus Christ shows us how to perfectly reflect God’s glory (Hebrews 2:5-9). Now we are a bit lower than the angels, but Jesus, when he comes to reign over the new heavens and earth, will raise all who belong to him above the angels to be where he is (1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Hebrews 2:5-18). That’s something to “ooh” and “aah” over! T. Leunk.
We give you thanks, Lord, for your amazing earth and heavens, and for your glory, which shines in all we see. May our lives today honour you, our Creator. Amen.
Loving God, my shield and hiding place,
give me the courage to come from behind the shield,
give me the faith to leave my hiding place,
so that I might be willing to go into every place:
places of tears and trauma, places of disillusion and despair
as well as places of fun and fulfilment.
Displace my complacency and replace it with a spirit of boldness.
May I serve you till in heaven I take my place.
Until then, I place into your hands the things I should do, safe in the knowledge that you are my abiding place,
my dwelling place and my resting place. Amen. Inspired by Psalm 8
At this time of escalating tension, we pray with people around the world for peace to prevail:
God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world. Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all
and banish from them the spirit that makes for war, that all races and peoples may learn to live as members of one family and in obedience to your law,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, you are the beginning of all our goodness, the wellspring of all our loving and the source of all our freedom. Let your grace continually work within us, that your will may be done through us, and that we may always rejoice in your presence; now and for ever. Amen. Mary Ward (1585-1645)