By Zach Dietrich
Each Monday during the Grammar School Assembly, Mr. Dietrich shares reflections from our Scripture memory work. Our students are currently learning and singing Psalm 8. You can read with your children the thoughts shared about Psalm 8:7-8.
When we spot a bald, wrinkly bird on the side of a highway, feasting on an unlucky rodent carcass, what do we say? Ewww! Gross! How about when we spot flies buzzing and swirling around a dead bird? Unfortunately “Majestic!” is not the first word that pops into our mind. But Psalm 8 gives us better words to say when we see vultures and crows and bugs. We can sing, “How majestic is our God!” Did you know that what we call “gross” is often the wonder of God caring for his creation? God takes good care of his world and he designed every creature with a job—even taking out the garbage.
Psalm 8 introduces us to some of God’s workers in his majestic creation.
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
Animals have all sorts of jobs. God created oxen to pull wagons and plow fields. He created sheep for clothing. And yes, some animals provide food. God created starfish, crabs, and many sea creatures to clean the ocean floor, carp to clean ponds, and even fish that clean other fish. And yes, some fish for food. God cares about his world and has given his creation jobs to do.
Do you know who the ruler of the animal kingdom is? No, it is not the lion. It’s us. God made humans to be rulers over all creation, to care for it, and to fulfill God’s design. Psalm 8 says, “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” Even greater than birds and fish, you have a job to do. God has placed you in this world to be rulers like him.
When you explore your backyard, see how many of God’s creations you can find at work. What birds and bugs do you see? Stop and watch them at their work. When you watch birds and bugs pick up garbage, build nests, carry away carcasses, make honey, and pollinate flowers, remember the majesty of God’s creation all doing their jobs. And remember that you too, have a job to do.