When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:3-9 (NKJV)

I’ve been studying the book of Psalms lately and came across several psalms which inspired well known scores that choirs and congregations have sung for many years, and even some more contemporary songs that we hear on the radio these days.

Because music is such a big part of my spiritual life, the psalms have been a great source of inspiration, admonition and encouragement in my journey as a Christian.

As I look through the pages of my worn bible, the book of Psalms is filled with markings that show the many trials and victories that I’ve faced through the years, and the blessed assurance and guidance received. T&P (Tested and Proven) is written many times in the margins, together with dates and even details of certain situations. That’s one of the reasons my favorite nickname for the Bible is “The Living Word.” It indeed lives and breathes and pours God’s breath upon the lives of His children.

When I came across Psalm 8 a couple of weeks ago, I could not help but remember the many times these words have comforted me when I first came to know Jesus, and feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy permeated my heart, constantly.

This Psalm has been translated into beautiful music masterpieces such as “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” and parts of some more contemporary songs such as “How Excellent,” both of which are some of my church choir’s favorites.

Maybe you are facing a time when feelings of unworthiness and defeat permeate your heart.

It may be a sin that keeps you bound to defeat. Maybe you messed up. Once again.

Or it may be that your current circumstances are weighing you down so much, that you can barely lift your head. You cry out to God, and still, there are no answers to your troubles.

The Moon and the Stars suspended in space seem to be exactly where your Help remains. Far… far away.

You may feel unworthy and alone. But the Psalmist asks and answers our question, telling us exactly why we are loved and valued beyond measure by our God:

What am I, that this Unfathomable God would be mindful of me?

David looks at the stars in the sky or the vastness of the sea… the beauty and colors of nature in small details such as the smallest bird, or the hands of a new born child… and realizes that the same perfect, omnipotent God who spoke these things into existence loves him… a love worth His very life!

This realization overwhelmed David. It overwhelms me.

“Why would You be mindful of me, Lord? After all I’ve done in my past… after the mistakes I still make in the present… and even knowing the times I’ll disappoint You in the future… Why on earth are you mindful of sinful, inadequate, broken me?”

In order to understand the answer, we must visit Genesis 1:26-27:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (NASB – Emphasis Mine)

Did you get that?

When God looks at you and me, He does not see us. He sees the Son-head of the Trinity – the Perfect God-Man Jesus Christ, who was tempted and suffered with the weight of all the same stuff that you and I face and much, much more, conquered it all… and died, blameless, in our place.

[bctt tweet=”The wrath of God that I deserved fell upon Him. He was and is my Shield. Because of that, when the Father looks at His imperfect, messy children, He sees His blood-bought church. He sees Perfect Jesus.” username=”PatHolbrook”]

That does not by any way mean that He overlooks our sin. Any sin separates us from the Father – but once we truly repent and turn away from it, our connection is re-established. That is a promise:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

He does that because He created us in His image (or nature). It’s the nature that guarantees that blessed communion. He said it four times in Genesis 1:26-27 – so, it must be true.

Therefore, my friend, the next time you feel like God is light-years away from you, ask yourself this question:

Do you think that the One true God, Who thinks you more important than every star in the universe… Who made you to rule over every creature that lives on the face of the earth… the same God Who tells the angels to sing and rejoice when one dark, lost soul is redeemed… do you believe that the same God Who promises not only to forgive, but to restore you back into His fold…

Do you really believe He is far away?

I think not.

[bctt tweet=”Don’t confuse the proper humility of understanding and respecting God’s greatness with self-depreciation.” username=”PatHolbrook”]

You are worth a lot. As a matter of fact, you are worth dying for. And because of His mind-boggling love for you, He promises that nothing… And He means NOTHING! Will EVER separate you from His love.

O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your Name in all the earth!