One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Psalm 8:8, “the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” All of our dominion over creation should help us to more and more fill the earth with God’s glory. Humans should work well and rule over creation as part of resembling and representing God on earth.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:7, “all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field.” We want to rule over creation well, thus imitating Christ as we do so. We want to neither abuse nor glorify creation, and we instead care for it conscientiously and enjoy it just as God does according to Psalm 104.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:6, “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” When Christ rose from the dead, he rose to the throne of God. He now rules over all things, including death, which he defeated. Though we don’t see this reality clearly now, we will when Christ returns. For now, we ask for wisdom to rule over creation for God’s glory and for our good as we await the second coming of Christ.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:5, “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” Christ became lower than the angels in death, but upon his resurrection he ascended to glory and honor. Mankind was created just a bit lower than the heavenly beings, but God crowned us with glory and honor as his image bearers. We resemble and reflect our great Lord Jesus.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” The son of man refers to the coming of Jesus (cf. Dan 7:10–14; Heb 2:6–8). The Father cares for Jesus because he is the Son of God and lives according to God’s will. God cares for man because we are made to bear his image and be conformed to the image of the Son. Our value comes from that purpose and not from anything inherent in ourselves.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:3, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.” The heavens are massive, and yet God put them in place like an artist. We are shocked with wonder by God’s care for the heavens.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” We need eyes to see Jesus and worship him like the children in Matthew 21. May God grant us those fresh eyes of wonder to worship our majestic Savior.

This episode looks at Psalm 8:1, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” May God fill us with eyes to see and hearts to worship him alone—the one who stands majestic over all things!

This episode looks at Luke 1:38, “And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. If we follow God, we should emulate Mary in desiring for his word to be carried out in our lives.

This episode looks at Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” This verse, drawn from the story of Abraham and Sarah having a baby after childbearing years, reminds us that God has done, and do, and will do impossible things for his glory and our good. We can face anything life has to throw at us when we believe this truth.