When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers— the moon and the stars You set in place— what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them? Psalm 8:3-4
Often, many of the things I'm worried about are things that are out of my control. You see, I like to be in control. When an issue or problem arises that I can fix or solve, I don't panic or worry because I can make sure that everything will be okay. The problem is, there are very few things that I actually can control, and there are many, many, many things that are not in my control. Even the things I think I have control over, I do not. When hard times come, and I feel out of control, worry often overcomes me. What do we do when life appears to be breezing by, and, suddenly, the diagnosis comes, the relationship crumbles, or the cushy financial situation suddenly changes? David encourages us in Psalm 8 to look to God when we are worried, the One who is in control of everything.
Psalm 8 is a reminder of God's glory, strength, and power. In this Psalm, David writes that God's name fills the entire earth (verse one). His glory, David writes, is higher than even the heavens (verse two). In verses three and four, David declares that God set the night sky in place, including the moon and stars. In other words, He created everything and is the One who is ultimately in control. As David considers God's glory, splendor, power, and majesty, he says, "what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?" (verse four). Psalm chapter eight is a reminder that God created everything: the sun, moon, stars, the earth, people, and the list could go on and on. He is the One who is in control of everything in each one of our lives. And don't you want the one who created everything, including you and me, to also be the one who is in control?
When we acknowledge that God is in control, we must make one glaringly-obvious recognition. We are not. You and I, although we may feel otherwise, do not have the control that we may think we have. And aren't you glad we don't? Aren't you glad that a much wiser, all-knowing, all-powerful, loving God is the One who controls the world? Sometimes, when worry threatens to take over our thoughts and emotions, we need a reminder that we are not in control. We need to be reminded to turn to God, the One who controls it all. Whatever it is you are worried about, I can assure you that God is in control of that exact situation. Will you rest in His power and control today?
One situation that is out of our control that you may find yourself worried about is sharing your faith. Do you find yourself worried about how someone might respond or what they may think about you after you share your faith with them? Your encouragement today is to remember that God is in control, even this situation. You have been called in Scripture to share, but after sharing your faith, you can rest knowing that God is in control, working in your friend, family member, or acquaintance's life in ways you may not even know. Confident in God's control, go and boldly share your story of how God has made all of the difference in your life with someone today. Trust Him with the results.
Read Psalm 8:1-9 (NLT)
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
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