Kingdom Building

June 12, 2019

Scripture Reading: Psalm 8

O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infant
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger.
You have set your glory above the heavens.
   Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
   the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
   and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
   you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
   and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
   whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Having just reviewed the newspapers that I read each day, the question that popped into my mind as I turned to reading the scripture for today was a question to God, “What were you thinking when you made us a little lower than you?” You must understand that Psalm 8 is one of my favorite Psalms, but as divisive government runs amok, another mass shooting occurs, and refugees stream from oppression all over the world, it is hard to feel the goodness of the love of God present in this poem. But there it is.

It is quite humbling to be so honored by God. God is the one entity who knows our true potential for good. I cannot imagine how much joy it would bring God, if we invested ourselves in fulfilling the gifts, he has given us.

Prayer: Lord, on this day, help me strive just a little more to be the person you created me to be, and a little more tomorrow, and the next day. . . .Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.