Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sabbath: Leading to perfection of creation
Psalms 8:1-9
Vs 5-6“Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet”  
 Psalm 8 brings to mind the creation account given in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. The account starts with the phrase “In the beginning God” followed by the creation of heavenly bodies, earth, and everything in it. At the completion of each day's creation God looks back and finds that what He has done is good. On the last day, after the creation of mankind, God appreciates His entire creation as “very good”. What is “very good” in the eyes of perfect God is perfect. Then on the seventh day: Sabbath, God rests in celebration to His perfect creation work. God's original creation was perfect until sin entered through humans.
The psalmist, David, opens and closes Psalm 8 marveling at the majesty of God's name. He is overwhelmed by the sight of heavenly bodies and the way they are positioned up there. This realization transforms his sense of self-importance to humility as stated in verses 3 and 4: “When I look at 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,  and the son of man that you care for him?” This sentiment is shared by God-fearing people even today. After landing on the moon and spending days among the heavenly bodies in the outer space in 1969 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin summarized his experience, just before returning to earth, by reciting Psalm 8:3-4. Soon the psalmist reflects on God's divine love to place humans at a position of glory and honor (vs 5-8). The amazement in God's creation leads him to rest in Him by praising His majestic name again (v 9).
Psalm 8 is also a messianic psalm (Heb 2:6-10). God's perfect creation marred later by sin will be restored to perfection on the second coming of Jesus the Messiah (Rev 21:1-4). That would be a glorious day for His children.
PRAYER
Lord, we thank You for Your creation and finding worth in us to love us. Help us to rest in You by rejoicing in You and praising You moment by moment. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Resting in Christ is our sabbath.

Thomas Philip, Orlando Mar Thoma Church
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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