“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” – Psalm 8:4 

Scripture reading: Psalm 8:1-9; Hebrews 2:5-9

If you have ever stood at the edge of the ocean, or watched a sunset over picturesque mountains, or stood in a meadow soaking in the sun’s rays while surrounded by a forest of trees, you can relate to David’s exclamation in verse 1.

But as we soak in God’s creation, we can also relate to David’s question in verses 3 and 4. We are so insignificant compared to the vastness of creation! We are so temporary and frail compared to the longevity and power of the sea, mountains, plains and forests God has created.

Yet the Lord, having created us in His image, crowns us with glory and honor, and gives us eternal significance, even “dominion over the works of (his) hands” (6) – not in ourselves – but in Christ. The author of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 8 in Hebrews 2:6-8, and then makes the remarkable observation that Christ, through Whom the world was created (Hebrews 1:2), was made a little lower than the angels for our sake (9).

After quoting this Psalm, the author of Hebrews points out that at present we don’t see everything in subjection to Christ. Often it looks just the opposite to us, as though evil has dominion and the evil one rules. But by faith we know that Christ is now far above the angelic realm, “crowned with glory and honor” (Hebrews 2:9), because by His death and resurrection He has given life to all who by God’s grace have saving faith in Him alone.

Suggestions for prayer

Express deep and sincere gratitude to Christ that He was willing to subject Himself to humiliation – lower than the angels He created – to redeem sinners who trust in Him alone for their salvation.

Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.