What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. (Psalm 8:4-6, ESV)
The start of a new year leads to dreaming for new utopia-like experiences. Whether we write them out as resolutions, goals, or prayers, the year would be more enjoyable if our golf scores are lower, we finally break that nagging bad habit, we feel more vitality, or we deepen our relationship with the Lord.
Sometimes, the turn of a calendar year feels harsh and unkind—the outlook is bleak and unknown.
Yet, what if we take a posture believing God is mindful of and does care for us this year? Easier when the forecast is blue skies and sunshine. It’s much harder when storm clouds rumble and gray clouds hover.
The entirety of Psalm 8 casts a worshipful night sky landscape. The psalm starts and ends with the same verse: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” I feel my heartbeat quicken as I recite these words.
It’s not “news” to God that he is powerful, but we need to pause and remember that he is our deliverer and redeemer. Psalm 8 moves us to tell God about God. “You have set your glory above the heavens (verse 1b). “You have established strength over your foes and enemies (verse 2).”
He is a sovereign God, an active and detailed planner of the world he created. He set the moon and the stars in place and established us (his image bearers) as stewards over the works of his hands.
In the ancient world, there wasn’t a question about whether God existed or not. It was a matter of which God did you follow and worship. Psalm 8 reminds us that there is no God except the God of the Bible – “I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3:14).” God is self-existent and eternal.
Our last element of worship in Psalm 8 brings us back to the truth that God faithfully remembers his people and is paying attention. “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (verse 4).”
As you make your plans for the year, remember it all begins with a humble estimate of ourselves and a sense of wonderment and worship for God.
Prayer: Lord, Father, I worship you and your majestic name. Thank you for being mindful of me. Lead and guide me this year.