“What is man that You exalt him, that You pay attention to him?” (Job 7:17)
These words of Job sound so familiar! They remind us of the beautiful Psalm 8, where David (centuries later) begins and ends his song of praise with these words: “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth” (v2, 10). Jubilantly, David looks at the life around him and is joyfully astonished that God is concerned with mankind.
Psalm 8:5 was written as a parody of Job 7:17. A parody is a gentle tease where the second text (Psalm 8) corrects the distorted image of the first text (Job 7). For Job, it was written as a lament: “why does God even bother with mankind?” David, on the other hand, writes a song of praise in response to the same question in Psalm 8:5: “what is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them?” Instead of suggesting (like Job) that humans are worthless, David, with his psalm, says: “You are wrong, Job. Humans are just a little lower than the angels!”
Sometimes we need the playfulness of a parody to restore our skewed perspective on life. Those of us who easily feel overwhelmed by the tragedies of life indeed need another perspective. Seen from a different angle, our situation may not be as bad as we initially judge.
Is there any greater comfort than knowing that we are not forgotten or insignificant in God’s eyes? Our pain, joys, hopes, and fears matter to Him. We are not an afterthought to God!
Take a moment today to rest in the assurance of God’s attention. The Creator values and cherishes your life!
PRAYER: How can I praise You enough that my life matters to You!
MUSIC:
For a Saturday, let’s watch the newly released music video of “Somebody Prayed” by the American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder.
From the lyrics:
Somebody Prayed
Every night there by your bed
You fold your hands and bow your head
Throwing out another prayer in faith
When you wonder if He’s hearing you
Look at me I’m living proof
I’m only right where I am today
Because somebody prayed
So I hit my knees
Cause I’ve seen all heaven move
(Don’t matter if you hit rock bottom,
My God pick you up when you call Him)
I pray, Father please
Cause I’ve seen what He can do
(Don’t matter if the storm cloud’s coming,
My God comes through when you call Him)
These hands have no power
But there ain’t an hour He don’t come through
That’s why when mountains move I say
Looks like somebody prayed
For the child of God that’s far from home
The one who thinks they’re too far gone
I’m throwing out another prayer in faith
Worn out altars, tear-stained pews
Still I won’t give up on you
I believe that anything can change
When somebody prays
I’ve seen miracles come from feeble words
I’ve seen hospital rooms turned into cathedrals
And I’ve seen freedom come to the prisoner
You can’t tell me that prayer doesn’t work
Every night there by your bed
When you fold your hands and bow your head
Not a single word you’ve ever said in vain
Cause He hears everything