Have you ever felt insignificant?  I mean almost trivial in light of everything else?  Out of the billions of people on the earth, the trillions of issues each of them face, and the quadrillions of other items to be concerned about in this world, does anyone really notice you?  Does God?  Do we matter in the grand scheme of things?  In Psalm 8, David portrays the immeasurable glory and splendor of God the creator and His wonderful creation.  David does not consider himself to be unimportant or trivial compared to all of creation.  He truly believes that not only should he “sing about the name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 7:17), but when he does, the Lord hears, is concerned, and loves it when His creation does!  We are not a trivial speck in the vast universe, but the Lord’s crowning creation, made in the very image of God Himself (Genesis 1:27) with a divine purpose (Ephesians 2:10).

On a clear night, you can stare at the sky and see hundreds of stars, and if you keep on staring, thousands more appear you missed at first glance!  But it’s not what you can see when you gaze at the stars that should overwhelm you; it’s what you cannot see.  I think about David when he observed the heavens, moon, and stars (v. 3).  I’m sure he had done this hundreds of times as a shepherd out on the plains while tending his sheep.  It was in times like this he worshipped and was amazed at the infinite grandeur of God the creator.  But David didn’t get lost in the immensity of God’s magnificence and creation.  He quickly declares that while God had created all the inanimate objects like the stars and the moon and the many animals as well, He had also created mankind as His masterpiece (vv. 3, 6-8)!  David isn’t worshipping the creation in all of its beauty.   He is worshipping the God who created everything including mankind and positioned them to rule over creation.  That’s a mindful and loving God! 

This reference back to Genesis 1 is not only David’s testimony of the Creator of all creators, but also as his Lord (vv. 1, 9)!  David asks the question many people ask, “What is a human being that you remember him and look after him?” as a humbling declaration that God had made such an awesome universe and entrusted mankind with so much responsibility in it!  While some would wonder about their significance or purpose in proportion to all of creation, David rightly attributes the breath-taking beauty of a vast and intricate world to God Who is mindful enough to give him a purpose in it!  It seems that is why David begins and ends this Psalm (1, 9) with the same worshipful phrase, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!”  David saw beyond the colossal creation to the compassionate Creator who loved and had a perfect plan for him.   

Questions:

1.  What do you think about when you look at the sun, moon, and stars?

2.  Is it possible to worship the creation more than the Creator?

3.  In light of all God has created and purposed for you, are you able to say, “Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout all the earth”?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to worship You the Creator over Your creation.  Thank you that I am not an insignificant speck in this world.  Thank you for having a divine plan for my life.  Help me to humbly surrender to Your will for my life.  How magnificent is your name throughout all the earth!

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.