Psalm 8 calls us to reflect on the majesty of the LORD. Even children can see and marvel at His creation. I love to see the wonder in a child’s face as they learn about this great universe God created. They sparkle as the stars they are discovering do. And we are the crown of God’s creation, just below Him in His glory. We are placed above all the other creatures. But the LORD is majestic. We are creatures! He is the Creator. Don’t forget it!
Sin can have some very negative consequences. Sometimes those consequences are physical! Our guilt can eat us alive. We can’t hide from Him. He knows it all. There is no sense in trying to hide it from Him. Friends can also abandon us when we are sick (Ps 38:11), especially when the sickness is a result of our bad choices. He feels like he needs the LORD’s protection having become without a voice (vv1-14) and at the same time feels like the LORD has left him (v21). A very hard place to be.
In Psalm 68 we hear voiced what we so often feel, but are afraid to voice. Sometimes we want our enemies blown away like smoke. He is a father to the fatherless (v5) and the lonely get families (v6). Our daily burdens get carried (v19) and the LORD shows His power by defeating His enemies. All this happening as Jerusalem is exalted as a capital city, the place where the LORD shows up. No wonder he ends by saying “Hallelujah!”
Worship can be loud! Listen to the words of Psalm 98. We sing. We shout to the LORD. We burst into jubilant song. There are instruments and blasts of a ram’s horn. All of creation comes to join in this noisy celebration. So next time you tell your kids to be quiet when they are singing really loudly, let ‘em sing! They are practicing for real worship. Heaven is going to be a noisy place, as worship can be here on earth. Don’t be afraid of a little noise. It doesn’t frighten the LORD.
Blessings follow obedient submission to the LORD (Ps 128:1). And family is one of those blessings. Here the psalmist tells us that having children (being a fruitful vine) is a good thing. It is a blessing. I know our culture says “2.2” children, but the LORD they are a blessing. I want to see my children’s children (v6). I know that this is a blessing from the LORD. All 5.25 of them are a blessing to me. They open my eyes to God’s grace in so many ways.
The Arnold Journey 