Mindful Majesty

Last Sunday, I heard a sermon on Psalm 8 which opens and closes with "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Majestic.  

What vision does that word conjure up for you? 

Do you think of people?  Royalty decked out in 'majestic' robes and finery? 

Or does a vision of nature come to mind: the vastness of the Grand Canyon, towering giant redwoods, the power of Niagara Falls, or"purple mountains majesty?"

The dictionary describes majesty as "regal, lofty, or stately dignity; imposing character; grandeur" - certainly words that reflect either a royal person or a natural wonder. 

But those words - lofty, stately, imposing - also create a feeling of something untouchable. They don't exactly give you the warm fuzzies.

Now read on in Psalm 8 - verses 3 & 4 . "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" 

Again, we're reminded that God is a majestic God who created everything.

But wait...He's mindful of man? 

Back to the dictionary!  Mindful means "attentive, aware, or careful" - in fact, the Bible goes a step further and says who is the son of man that you CARE for him! Care..."to make provision or look out for."  Now the warm fuzzies are beginning to rush in where dignity fears to tread.

All day these thoughts were batted around in my mind...majestic but mindful...lofty but attentive...only God could take things so seemingly at odds and have them make perfect sense.  

Only God could be the majestic King over the universe, worthy of praise and honor and yet bend down to turn an attentive ear and caring gaze to those who fall so short of His glory. 

As the day drew to a close, I found myself outside in time to see a most glorious sunset.

I rushed to the lake so I could watch it in all its grandeur. I brought along my favorite devotional book, "Jesus Calling," and randomly opened it to an entry that brought tears to my eyes. It was based on Psalm. 8:1-4 as well as Psalm 19: 1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:19, and Jeremiah 29:13.  

It said "I speak to you continually. My nature is to communicate, though not always in words.  I fling glorious sunsets across the sky, day after day after day (yes Lord - I see it...I hear you!)  I speak in the faces and voices of loved ones. I caress you with a gentle breeze that refreshes and delights you. I speak softly in the depths of your spirit, where I have taken up residence. You can find Me in each moment, when you have eyes that see and ears that hear. Ask My Spirit to sharpen your spiritual eyesight and hearing. I rejoice each time you discover My Presence. Practice looking and listening for Me during quiet intervals. Gradually you will find Me in more and more of your moments. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me above all else."

At the water's edge, as the sun slipped behind the trees and the golden light that shimmered on the water faded. The sky was painted in royal hues of red and purple. 

But even as His majesty was written across the sky for all to see, His voice gently whispered in the breeze..."I love you."  

Majestic and mindful...lofty and attentive...King over all the universe and my dear, sweet friend.