What is man that YOU are mindful of him? | Psalm 8
How’s your summer going? Hopefully you have had .me to get away or to vacate. But did you know that there is a danger that comes after vacation? A New York Times article says that 41% of people experience burnout after their vaca.on. Burnout is a prolonged period of chronic, higher than normal levels of stress that lead to physical illness. One study found that most works who went on vaca.on did not come back any happier than when they less in fact, pre-vaca.on happiness levels were found to be higher than post-vaca.on levels, suggesting that anticipation of taking a break was more of a mod booster than the actual break itself. (Anticipation is sometimes better than participation.) Carey Nieuwhof says that “Time off won’t heal you when your problem is how you spend your time on.” His suggestions in how you spend your .me on are many, but one that is most helpful is: you need something to focus on. His mantra is, “Live in a way today that will help you thrive tomorrow.” The Bible says the best way to live each day that will help you thrive tomorrow is live for the purpose that you were created for: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. You do that through worship.
This is a Psalm of David written for worship in the Temple; a hymn of creation praise. It is based on David’s personal observations of his life, the universe and God. The psalm looks backwards and forward with the book ends of VS. 1 and 9, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” This song was written 3,000 years ago but it is just as relevant for us today as it was then. Life is best lived when we know who God is and who we are in light of who He is. In Psalm 8, we see God’s magnificence, our significance, and God’s amazing grace.