The Vine: July 22, 2024

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

— Psalm 8

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are going camping. They pitch their tent under the stars and go to sleep. In the middle of the night Holmes wakes Watson up: "Watson, look up at the stars, and tell me what you deduce." Watson: "I see millions of stars and even if a few of those have planets, it's quite likely there are some planets like Earth, and if there are a few planets like Earth out there, there might also be life." Holmes: "Watson, you fool, somebody's stolen our tent!" Something about God’s creation grabs our attention.

Picture this scene: Young David was outside at night, watching his sheep under the brilliant stars and the full moon. He felt the same sense of mystery and awe that we've all experienced when looking up at the starry sky. When we were at Camp Eagle with the students, I would take a moment to be in awe of the night sky. Living in the city, I rarely get to see a pristine night sky. David considered the beauty of nature, acknowledging how it silently testifies to the wisdom of God. As the sun set, the breathtaking beauty of the scene overwhelmed him, and he was astonished at the greatness of a God who could create such things.

Then, the psalmist grapples with the inevitable question, 'What is man in the sight of a God who could create a universe like this?' What are humans? Where did we come from? What is our purpose in this vast universe? These are questions we all wrestle with at various times in our lives.

David answers his question: 'You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.' This answer reveals the unique relationship humanity has with God. We were created to be a little less than God, a remarkable expression of God's purpose and love for us. We are his handiwork to express his love and grace to the world. We are such unique and remarkable beings that God Himself intends to live in us, to be the glory of our lives. What an awesome God we serve!

Questions for Reflection:

Besides wonder, what other question does the vastness of creation make David ask himself?
What experiences in your own life create awe?
According to the passage, how does David answer his question about humanity's place in the universe?
How does the passage describe humans' special relationship with God compared to other creations?

prayer

Lord, how amazing you are! How awesome in every way! Your majesty exceeds all other power, all other authority, all other glory. Yet, you have chosen to care about human beings, to care even about me and my life. Even more, you have crowned us with glory and honor, creating us in your own image. Amen.

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