Amy Carmichael’s ministry in India placed her in frequent danger as she rescued enslaved girls and, to help them experience the love of Christ, gave them a safe home. Despite opposition and her own battle with crippling aches and pains, she never lost either her resolve or her joy. As she explained, “Two men looked through prison bars. The one saw mud, the other stars.” She continued, “There is always something to be happy about if we look for it.”
Unlike Amy, we often let our daily problems and responsibilities fix our eyes to the earth. Yet perhaps when we’re busiest we most need to follow the example of the psalmist who paused and looked up at God’s “glory in the heavens” (Psalm 8:1). His awe and joy was revitalised as he basked in the revelation of creation. “When I consider . . . the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them?” (vv. 3–4).
The vastness of the stars reminds us both of our smallness in God’s universe and of His infinite rule. Yet God has crowned us “with glory and honour” as His masterpieces (v. 5). Every bit of creation—including the stars—has been “set in place” (v. 3) to display God’s loving reign on our behalf.
Where do you look when you need joy or reassurance? Why not try drinking in the sight of the stars; they are a nightly reminder of God’s unrivalled majesty (v. 9).
By Chris Wale
REFLECT & PRAY
Where in creation do you think God’s glory is most clearly displayed? How can you take a moment to reflect on this when you are busy or stressed?
Creator God, the whole world is full of Your glory. I thank You for the constant reminders in creation—including the stars—of Your mighty power and wonderful love.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Psalm 8:3–4 express King David’s amazement that the Creator of the cosmos would pay any mind to the human race. Much of the rest of the psalm, however, reviews what is remarkable about human beings. We’ve been created “a little lower than the angels,” powerful servants of God (v. 5; 104:4; Hebrews 1:7). We’ve been “crowned” by our Maker “with glory and honour” (Psalm 8:5). And He’s charged us from the beginning of human history with caring for this wonderful planet ( Genesis 1:28). The psalmist notes that God made us “rulers over the works of [His] hands,” including every living creature on earth (Psalm 8:6–8). Ultimately, though, the glory isn’t ours at all. David rightfully begins and ends his psalm with this declaration of praise: “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Tim Gustafson
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