Devotional readings focused on Psalm 8 for the third week of February.
Meditation
Remember when you were a child and almost everything was awesome? A rock, a pine cone, and a bit of moss was all that was needed to capture my attention as a four-year-old. A sea anenome, a flower, a starry sky, a good story--all were marvels to us as youngsters. Every day held the possibility of adventure.
It's interesting how that wonder wears off as we grow into adults and assume grown up responsibilities. But then along comes children and a fresh opportunity to once more experience the world through the eyes of a child. A chance to recapture the magic--such a blessing!
But now that the kids are grown and on their own, I find myself in a bit of a wonder deficit again. My daughter introduced me to the technical term for it:
Meh: mediocre; lackluster; uninspiring
The older I get, the easier I fall into a pattern of thinking that life is just, well, meh. I seem to have forgotten how to see the wonders of God's creation all around me and I find myself trudging through my day without stopping to take in the beauty of all that God has made for my enjoyment.
I'm pretty sure that's not how God wants me to live. In fact, Psalm 8 is pretty explicit about what our attitude toward God and the life He has given us should be:
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name
in all the earth!
-Psalm 8:1 (NIV)
Psalm 8 goes on to list the wonders of creation, from starry skies to ocean depths and everything in between, with humans as God's greatest creative achievement. As I read through this week's psalm, I caught a glimpse of the wonders of God's creative genius again, and I found myself pondering this question:
How can I rebuild my sense of wonder in all that God has made
and all that God has done for me?
I don't think I'm the only person who is struggling with that question in midlife. In Wednesday's reading, we will see that even the wisest man who ever lived had at one time lost his sense of awe and had given in to cynicism. The good news is that we can be wiser by learning from his experience! As we read through the various scriptures this week, take time to explore the reflection questions, but also set aside some time to go on a treasure hunt for the wonders that David enumerates in Psalm 8:
Enjoy some sunshine on your face - verse 1
Hang out with some little kids and see the world through their eyes - verse 2
Look up at the stars - verse 3
Ponder God's love for you - verse 4
View some artwork that displays the skills God gave to humans - verse 5
List some ways humans are caring for creation - verse 6
Teach your dog a new trick - verse 7
Look for birds in the trees or feed some ducks in a pond - verse 8
Notice God's majesty in creation and thank Him for specific things you see - verse 9
As you read, search out and dwell in the ideas of Psalm 8 this week. I'll be praying for you to renew your sense of wonder and awe at all that God has made for us to enjoy and utilize. May you be drawn closer to Him and may your heart be filled with joy at His majesty!
Readings and Reflection Questions
Monday's reading: Psalm 8
Reflection Questions: What aspects of nature speak most clearly to you about the glory of God? How could you become more "in touch" with nature in a way that inspires awe for God and His creative genius?
Tuesday's reading: Genesis 1
Reflection Questions: How does the creation account parallel Psalm 8? Why is it significant that each day closes with God declaring His handiwork "good"? Why is God's creation of humans considered "very good"?
Wednesday's reading: Ecclesiastes 1
Reflection Questions: Ecclesiastes was written by David's son Solomon as an argument for the futility of life apart from a relationship with God. The first chapter discusses that futility in terms of it's effect on the enjoyment of life. Read through it and identify which verses describe how you might feel about your life right now. Then, pray about how God might have you address those feelings through direct action. Write down the thoughts that God brings to mind.
Thursday's reading: Matthew 21:1-17
Reflection Questions: In this passage, Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2. How does this passage in Matthew help you understand Psalm 8:2? How did the songs of the children contradict the enemies of Jesus? What are some songs you could sing that would glorify God and encourage your own heart? (Hint: make a playlist for a walk!)
Friday's reading: Revelation 21:1-22:7
Reflection Questions: Here in the last book of the Bible, we see that God is still in the business of creating a perfect environment for His beloved people. How is this new heaven and earth different from the one in Genesis 1? What do you find especially awe-inspiring about the description of the new heaven and earth? Revelation 22:3 says there will no longer be a curse--how does that make the new heaven and earth better than where we live now?
Reflection Questions: In Psalm 29, what does the Psalmist mean by "the voice of the Lord"? How might it be heard in the various situations described in Psalm 29? Let your own voice be heard in creation: read Psalm 148 outside and out loud.
What a fantastic way to engage with Psalm 8