Psalm 8
January 1, 2023
We praise you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What is man that you are mindful of him? We see majestic mountains, endless seas, and millions of species. And what are humans? That you are mindful of humans? That you have revealed yourself to our consciousness? That we even have a consciousness? Not only that, but we have been made in your own image. We are in awe! We are in awe of your countless, wonderful creation.
We are thankful for your many blessings you have given us. We look forward to what you will do in our future. As we begin a new year, we reflect on the past and look forward to the future. We set goals, often in some way to improve ourselves. We are a little lower than heavenly beings why not try to be a little higher than the heavenly beings? We are cared for by you. All of our needs are provided by you. Why not provide for our own needs? You have given us dominion over your creation, why not try to gain dominion over a little more money or something? Lord forgive our greed. Lord forgive our lack of content with what you have given us.
Goals are not bad things. But, Lord help us to frame our goals around the truth that you are and always will be supreme. You have given us dominion over YOUR creation, we are stewards. Help us to be better stewards. Help us to set goals to be better stewards. Help us to meditate and saturate our minds with these wonderful truths: That we are already made in your image. We are crowned with glory and honor. We have dominion over your creation. You provide for all of our needs. You (not us) are glorified in your creation. We have authority over the rest of your creation. We have the power to improve or ruin. May we be still and listen for your words and wisdom to inspire the goals we set for this year. That we would steward and enjoy your creation and gifts, and that you would be glorified through it all.
As we study the book of Ecclesiastes, we are reminded over and over that we mere humans cannot create something from nothing. All of our efforts to be original are vain, and do not satisfy our deepest desires. We think we want to be known for an original creation, but we really just need to know our original creator. May the cautions and warnings in this book convict us, as it did the author, to realize the futility of our earthly pursuits. Thank you that you have revealed not only cautions and warnings in the Bible, but that you have also revealed the antidote to these vain pursuits. We are made in your image. You love us not for what we do. You love us unconditionally for who we are, because you made us, and it brings you glory to show off your creation. We get to participate in your wonderful, glorious creation. And it’s available for us to enjoy because Jesus made it available to us. Help us to revel in this wonder, and let it overflow out of our lives to those near us, and to everyone around the world