Scripture: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” – (8:4)
Observation: In this psalm, David marvels that God, the Creator of the heavens, would be concerned with humanity. We are so insignificant when compared with all that God has created, and David basically questions, “Why us?”
Application: It is pretty amazing to think that after God created the universe with all of its stars and planets and the earth with all of its plants and animals, He still wanted to create man. Not only did He create mankind, but subsequent verses tell us that He gave His final creation dominion (control) over everything He had previously made! Even more amazing is that God did not sit back and just watch what was going to happen, He chose to walk in the garden and commune with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8).
When this beautifully divine relationship was severed by the sin of disobedience, God did not abandon humanity. He chose to redeem us and offer restoration for this lost relationship by sacrificing Himself on an old rugged cross. Think on this… the almighty Creator of the universe and Sustainer of all life wanted a relationship with us so badly that He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him! Why? John 3:16 gives the answer. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Since there was absolutely nothing humanity could do to fix the sin problem, and because we were powerless to fix the sin problem, God chose to remedy it Himself. In our place, the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, bore the wrath of God against sin on the cross for us. As the perfect sacrifice, Jesus accomplished what no man could do. He shed His sinless blood to pay the cost for mankind’s disobedience and rebellion against God. Then, three days later, He demonstrated the awesome power of God in His bodily resurrection from the grave. Now, anyone who trusts in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and accepts Him as their Saviour can be reconciled to the Lord forever! The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The psalmist asked, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” Here are three reasons
- God loves us.
- “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” – Jeremiah 31:3
- God receives glory through us.
- “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” – Isaiah 43:7
- God desires us to do good works.
- “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10
- God takes pleasure in us.
- “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” – Revelation 4:11
He is our Father; we are His children. What a wonderful Father God we have!
Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, thank You for loving me as You do! Thank You for my salvation through Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life, teaching me, guiding me, convicting me, and comforting me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, that I may be used to tell others of the hope found in the gospel, and the peace and joy that comes from knowing Christ as Saviour. May Your name be exalted in all the earth! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
(from “How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg)
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“For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” – Psalm 149:4