Psalm 8 (NIV)
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
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?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
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?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
It’s 6:30 on a Sunday morning and I’m standing outside, waiting for my dogs to “do” what all living things that eat must do. My frustration over the length of time it takes to perform this necessary act turns immediately to awe for our Creator when I look up. I see the glowing moon (it’s shape between half-moon and crescent moon) and a glittering star beside it. Off in the distance illuminating light from the rising sun exposes pale pink and white wisps of clouds scattered across a blue sky. A refreshing breeze cools the air as tweeting birds and chirping squirrels sing their morning chorus, and I unite with them in praise to the One who created us all. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth,” my heart cries out.
I’m reminded of those rare mornings when I have time to breathe in the breath of God and feel His presence in creation. And I hear my Savior saying, “Be still and know that I am God!” Below is a poem of praise that I wrote on July 19, 2006; it’s entitled “Morning Glory.” God grabbed my attention with the beauty of the earth and stilled my anxious, grieving mind. My circumstances appeared dire as my Dad had died, the relationship with our daughter expressed only trouble, and both my mother and father-in-law had been diagnosed with different forms of cancer. God whispered into my storm, “Be still and know who I AM!” Love and praises poured out of my heart for Him. Sing His praises with me:
Night time slips away,
Morning rises up.
O the beauty of the earth,
O the beauty of the earth,
Lord, we praise your holy Name!
Birds burst into song.
Squirrels prattle about.
O the glory of creation,
Lord, we praise your holy Name!
Chipmunks scurrying by.
Hawks swooping low.
O the miracle of provision,
Lord, we praise you holy Name!
People rising and shining.
Day begins anew.
O the blessing of your faithfulness,
Lord, we praise your holy Name!
And again I hear God say, “Be still and know that I am God.” He daily speaks those words to us. Are we listening to His voice? Are we resting in His peace? Or are we listening to the voices that speak doom and negativity to our souls? Satan continually tries to keep our focus on the circumstances that surround us and the worries they create. These days danger seems to be lurking around each corner and behind every bush. Once our eyes are off Almighty God, doubt, fear, and anxiety plague us. Alright, right now, be still and focus, turning your eyes toward Jesus. Recite with me Psalm 46, believing in His Word:
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46 (NKJV)
Life’s circumstances appear alarming, but we have a Savior who taught us and those before us how to overcome heaviness that binds and captures. The Lord of all creation quells all fears, worldly and personal, when we embrace faith. Let us cling to faith together:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
Jesus heard the command “Be still and know...” and obeyed. Knowing what Jesus did for each of us, we too need to heed that voice and obey. It’s only faith-focused eyes that dispel fear-based visions. Praise your Lord with faith! Live this anonymous quote:
“To look around is to be distressed; to look within is to be depressed; to look up is to be blessed.”
Amen. We praise you, O Lord!