X Marks The Spot

Psalm 8:3-6 – When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. (ESV)

Imagine a long, endless line stretching in both directions far into infinity. Everything that God has created has its place somewhere along the spectrum of this line. In one direction, it stretches far away into deep outer space with all of its stars, planets, and galaxies that are countless light years away from the earth. In the opposite direction, it extends far into inner space, and includes atoms, molecules, and strands of DNA — the infinitesimal building blocks of the universe. Human vision soon fails looking in either direction and must be aided by the most powerful tools possible: high-powered microscopes and telescopes.

Now, slowly reel things in and come back towards the centre of that imaginary line. Let's mark a big X in approximately the middle of the line. I'll plant my feet firmly on that big X, sharing the real estate with you and all the rest of the human race! Let's claim the centre of the universe, both positionally and figuratively. We don't need to be overly technical or scientific in comparing our size relative to other created objects, but we can assume that human beings fit somewhere close to the middle of creation.

How do I have the audacity to claim that mankind inhabits the heart of the universe? Knowing that God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to become a man, for the purpose of redeeming those who would choose to believe in Him, leads me to believe that man is, indeed, the crown jewel in God's creation.

King David asked God to "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." (Psalm 17:8 ESV) I also know that I am one of God's beloved children and the apple of His eye today, and He tenderly cares for me, watching over me day and night. My time and place in this world were not random or accidental, but were planned from eternity past, and my future is secure.

It is not enough for us to know, however, that God made man as the centerpiece of His creation. Knowing the privileged position that we have been granted should fill us with deep gratitude and cause us to give our hearts and lives to Him in faithful service. There is a two-way conduit between God's love to us and our devotion to Him.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank You that You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to be the Saviour of the world. Thank You that You provided the way of salvation for all who would believe. May we, with grateful hearts, return our love to You in devoted service. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook