April 18, 2023 — 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 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!” Psalm 8

“Psalm 8 is a prophecy of Christ—His sufferings, resurrection, and kingly rule over all creatures. This kingdom shall be established by the voice of children, that is, it will be established by Word and faith alone, not by sword or armor. This psalm belongs in the First Commandment, specifically that God intends to be our God, and the Second Petition, as was stated in Psalm 2 above.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther)

Who is this G-d we serve? As a Christian, we believe that G-d is the creator of all that we see. It is hard to look upon the earth and the heavens and NOT  sing G-d’s praises. Of course, there are many who look on this creation and marvel at how it all came to be by chance. I just do not agree. Over and over again, as I gaze upon the mountains of West Virginia, or take a glimpse into the multi-faceted and multi-dimensional aspects of the human anatomy, I see nothing here that can be explained by simply happen-stance. We watch with delight as each new blossom appears in spring, or another new creature is found where none should be, and we marvel at our G-d who continues to create.

Agree with me or not, I see the very hands of G-d all around me — I see creation happening all around me. “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Not only is it majestic, but it is evident everywhere I look.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. Bless and defend Your Holy Church. Give us strength to share Your Word with the power of the Holy Spirit, so we too can declare “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” And after the sufferings of this life grant us to celebrate your resurrection, knowing we too will rise again to live and reign with You in all eternity. Amen.

Pastor Dave