October 23 – Perspective (Psalm 8)

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers . . .”
(Psalm 8:3)

IN WORD:
If there’s anything our generation lacks in wisdom, it’s perspective. Sin has always distorted our thoughts, making us larger than we ought to be and making God smaller than He is. As a result, our problems seem bigger than God, our plans seem better than his will, and our faulty logic makes more sense to us than His infallible Word.
What can correct us? What can bring us back into the right perspective? This psalm offers a good approach. All it takes is for us to consider the way things really are. Consider the vastness of God’s work. Consider the frailty of our flesh. When we see ourselves relative to God, we, along with David in this psalm, are amazed that God is even mindful of us. Such a perspective reminds us constantly of grace: that we are made by grace, saved by grace, sustained by grace, and completely dependent on grace. The majesty of God’s name and the glory and honor with which He has crowned His fallen creatures are mind-boggling. What a merciful condescension! The infinite, almighty, eternal God — the One who holds vast universes in the palm of His hand — has cared for pitifully small, broken human beings. He has even crowned us with honor. What a staggering contrast of proportions! A glimpse of it will deepen our perspective.
Understanding the vastness of God and the finiteness of humanity brings us back to sanity. Our problems become smaller than God, our plans bow to His will, and our faulty logic submits to His Word. Order is restored.

IN DEED:
Has your perspective become distorted? Do your problems seem huge and your God small? Do you prefer your plans over His will and His Word? Spend some time “considering.” Contemplate His handiwork. Know your place in His creation. Observe the contrast between the majesty of the Almighty and the neediness of the weak. See the marvels of His grace. Let yourself be trained in such thoughts. Let God shape your perspective.

“We seem to have lost the vision of the majesty of God.”
-John Stott-