Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.
God is the one who is in control of all things, and He is the one who can guide us in the right direction when we are led astray.
“God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
(C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)
In this particular passage, David is addressing that the glory of God is displayed through creation. Back in Genesis 1, it talks about how the world was formed and the who created it. David is addressing that God’s glory is revealed through everything that we see in creation. From the tress in the park to the white sand beaches along the gulf coast, we are witnesses to the glory of God through what we see every single day.
Psalm 8:1-9 (NLT)
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.
1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
When it comes to this particular passage in Hebrews 2, it is reminding us of what was mentioned in Psalm 8:1-8. There is a direct parallel between these sets of passages talking about how how the son of man, Jesus, was made made lower than the angels. But because He had taken the ultimate punishment for all people, He was crowned with glory and honor. In both Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2, it talks about how everything in under the authority or the subjection of God. We need to remind ourselves that He’s the one who is in complete control, not man.
Hebrews 2:5-11 (NLT)
Jesus, the Man
5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,
“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
or a son of man that you should care for him? 7 Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor. 8 You gave them authority over all things.”
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray that as we move forward through this journey called life, You will continue to lead us in the direction that You have called us to. Remind us of how valuable we are in Your eyes. No matter what the world tells us, You say the exact opposite. Lord, I ask for Your continuous guidance as we journey through life. We know that this journey is a marathon, but we ask that You will continue to show us what we need to see and do the things that You have called to do. In His name I pray, amen.