1. Relationships: During John F. Kennedy’s presidency, there was one member of his cabinet who had a unique relationship with the President: the Attorney General was his brother Robert. Robert Kennedy was reported to have greeted new lawyers entering the Department with the following message:
“This may appear to be a large organization, but when you do something well, I’ll hear about it and it will go on your record. I want you to recall that I was recently a lowly worker in the Justice Department myself, but that I now serve as Attorney General, due to perseverance, long hours, hard work, and the fact that my brother became President of the United States… not necessarily in that order.”
APPLY: It helps to be related. I want to remind us of our special relationship with God.
We’re created in God’s image. That gives a unique relationship with God. And because of that relationship, God places immense value on you and me.
• In Genesis 1, God created the Light and said: "That’s good"
• He created the sun, moon and stars and said: "That’s good"
• He created the vegetation and said: "That’s good"
• He created the animals and said: "That’s good"
• But on the 6th day, after having created man and giving him dominion over all the works that He had created, God said: "That’s VERY good."
2. Psalm 8
3. Questions This Psalm answers: Who Am I? Why Am I Here? Who Is God?
I. The Pure Praise for God – (Bookend verses)
A. Praise Comes When We Encounter God
1. Moses at the bush; Thomas with Jesus
2. “Visit” – (Oversee; Remember; Care for)
a. Punishment – Genesis 6
b. Gracious Provisions – You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. Job 10.12;
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit (care for) orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1.27
B. Praise Incorporates “Awe” – Exodus 20.20
Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”
The April 16, 2007 issue of Time Magazine contains and excerpt from the new biography on Albert Einstein titled, “Einstein and Faith.” The last paragraph in the excerpt reads, “For some people, miracles serve as evidence of God’s existence. For Einstein, it was the absence of miracles that reflected divine providence. The fact that the world was comprehensible, that it followed laws, was worthy of awe.”
II. The Permeating Power of God
A. His Power is Seen in His “Name”
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9.16 (to Pharaoh before plague of Hail)
But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ 1 Chronicles 28.3 (to David)
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14.14
B. His Power is Seen Nature
SLIDE of Hubble Pictures
1. In the Heavens
a. Creative Power
b. “Fingers” (Not Handiwork) – idiom for Holy Spirit
See: Exodus 8.18-20; 31.18; Luke 11.20
c. This was probably a nighttime recitation – no sun is mentioned
2. On the Earth (Matthew 6.10 – on earth as it is in heaven)
a. The Innocents – infants (Psalm 8.2)
Quoted by Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 21.14-17
Child shall lead them (Isaiah 11.6) /Josiah – Yeshua
b. The Enemies – Adversaries (Job and Satan)
III. The Prominence of People with God – “What is Man?”
A. The Low View (Negative Side) Proverbs 6.16-19
B. The High View (Positive Side)
One author noted this and commented: "God is crazy about you. If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He listens. He could have chosen to live anywhere in the universe, but He chose to live in your heart. Face it, God is crazy about you."
1. God has given us Divine Qualities – “crowned him with glory and honor/majesty”
2. A little less than the divine –
3. His image – live up to it. – Render to Caesar/to God
A famous artist once took his easel to the heart of Paris. He secured a studio overlooking a back street. His attention was captured by a man below—a common derelict, dirty and unshaved, spending most of his days in a drunken stupor. He decided to paint him, but not as a bum. He painted him clean, well-groomed, an image of self-respect. Then he showed the portrait to the man. “That’s not me,” he said. “It can’t be.” The artist replied, “When I look at you, this is the man I see.” If that is the man you see,” said the derelict, “then that is the man I will be!” God sees us not just as we are now, but as we can be. For “...while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Conclusion:
1. God IS mindful of us.
2. He made us; he loves us (every one of us)
3. He is coming again for us.
SLIDE of A. Lincoln – Shaven and Bearded
Conrad Hyers in his book, And God Created Laughter tells a of an 8 year old girl who wrote to Abraham Lincoln, who was then running for President suggesting that he grow a beard. In her opinion, Lincoln would stand a better chance of election if he grew one to hide the homeliness of his face. Lincoln could have been offended, but instead he answered her letter personally and thanked her for her suggestion, furthering adding that he’d like to visit with her when his campaign came to her area.
On the day that Lincoln’s campaign train was scheduled to pass through the town, practically the whole town was assembled at the station. There were the leading Republicans wearing their top hats, the shiny marching, band, the townsfolk in their finest attire. Almost everyone was there... all except the little girl. She was left home. After all, her father reasoned, Lincoln would be interested only in the politicians and their speeches - the votes and the voters - not the attentions of a little girl.
It so happened, however, that as the campaign train approached the town; it was forced to stop for repairs. Lincoln, not wanting to sit in the warm train, set off across the field afoot in search of the little girl’s home.
When Lincoln introduced himself at the door, the maid was speechless. But the little girl and her playmate, the maid’s daughter, welcomed him in as if they were expecting him. The two girls had been having a pretend party, drinking pretend hot chocolate out of their small teacups and they invited Mr. Lincoln to join them. After a while, Lincoln said he must be going, thanked them for the party, and asked them how they liked his new beard. Then he walked to the waiting train.
When Lincoln boarded the train, it started on its way and went right through the town without stopping. Right past all the waiting dignitaries, politicians, loud playing band and flag draped platform; right past ladies and gentlemen in their Sunday best... for Lincoln hadn’t come to visit people who were putting on a show for his benefit. He had come to visit and say thank you to a little girl who just wanted to spend time with him.
That’s what it’s going to be like when Jesus comes again. He’s going to come for those that want to spend time with Him because they love Him. He won’t be coming for the people who are only concerned with putting on a show and "looking good."
