Dear Disciple,
“[W]hat 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 honor. 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. YHWH, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:5-9
Our brother, David the king, began and ended this psalm with the declaration that the name of YHWH is majestic in all the earth, and how right he was. Yet, notice that most of the body of the psalm is devoted to David’s wonder that God thinks so much of humankind and entrusted so much to us of all the works and wonders He made in the cosmos. This psalm is not a humanist statement of mankind’s arrogant supremacy; far from it, it is a humble acknowledgment of the trust given to us despite how small we are.
No doubt you can sympathize with David’s sentiments here, Disciple. Have you ever been moved to wonder when you consider all that God has entrusted to you and called you to do? Knowing our own weaknesses and limitations so well, we can sometimes dismiss the clear message of the gospel that we are not only saved by Jesus’ sacrifice, but we are also enlisted into His service to join in His incredible mission.
Why should humans be entrusted to rule the earth and its creatures? Why should God devote so much thought to and lavish so much affection on us? We wonder right along with our ancient ancestors of faith. Our wonder doesn’t change the truth, though, that the One who created us is truly calling us to do great things in partnership with Him.
I want to remind you today, Disciple, that you have been invited to be and do more than the world will ever tell you. You have freedoms and options as a child of God’s kingdom that others simply do not. At the same time, you have responsibilities and accountability others do not. Do not neglect either of these: live fully in your joyful freedom and serve faithfully to be a wise and just steward of God’s gifts. Honor His commands and rejoice in His promises. Care for the world and creatures YHWH so brilliantly fashioned for His glory and our good. Live and speak the great message of who He is, what He has done, and what it means for the world.
I doubt we’ll ever stop wondering why God makes so much of us, Disciple, and perhaps that is as it should be. May that wonder fuel our worship, love, and service today and every day to come, for His name truly is majestic in all the earth and the heavens besides.
Honored to serve with you,
Ryan
