Sunday Psalms: Chapters 8 and 10

I’m still on track with  reading through the Book of Psalms, and I’m really enjoying it. Here are some more of my thoughts from the project. Note that the references are now linked to the full chapter they refer to.

Psalm 8:3-4 “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?”

I’ve always loved astronomy. The vastness of space holds such beauty and incomparable wonder. The distances boggle my mind; I can’t even fathom the temperatures. Our sun alone is incredible and overwhelming. It’s huge and exceptionally hot. Solar flares and their effects are fascinating. What about the perfect balance of our solar system? Each planet orbits around the sun, yet only Earth is set at exactly the right distance and exactly the right tilt to sustain human life. And those are just the familiar things. What about black holes and nebulae? The universe is amazing to me.

I think, subconsciously, people are so interested in the idea of alien life because they’re trying to explain the mystery of space. What is the point of this incredible vastness and intricate detail if we’re the only inhabitants of it? I don’t have that problem. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Space is beyond our comprehension. It’s beautiful. God made it for us. He shows His glory through it. And I am in awe.

I have to agree with David, here: how can I possibly be significant in the face of this grandeur? It’s certainly not on my own merit. Yet I have worth because He created me. I’m significant because He loves me and chose to die for me. It’s not me. My merit comes from Him, Lord of the Universe. And, if my value is wrapped up in Him, nothing in all the universe should concern me.

Psalm 10:1, 17 “Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?…You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry.”

This chapter is such a reflection of what I’m sure many of us have thought before. Why do the wicked prosper? Why aren’t they struck down in the midst of their crimes? We believe in free will, but sometimes it seems we’d be better without it; our choices so often have horrible consequences. Why does God seem absent in the midst of our worst tragedies? I  wonder these things sometimes.

I don’t think God is afraid of our doubts. He can handle all of them. When we seek Truth, we will find Him. And, as David realizes, God is present. He knows. He hasn’t forgotten us. It’s hard, sometimes, to understand. But God is bigger than this world, and He is here with us. We just have to look for Him.

What do you think of these verses? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to chat!