January 2 - Paige McDaniel
Psalm 8
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,
o 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 humans 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!
Today, we are to rejoice in our Lord, who cares so deeply to allow the creation that he made in his image to watch over his other creations. Although we are powerless compared to him, he supports us every day. This verse reminds us of all the amazing things we see and experience because of what he provided us. Today is a great day to take a walk or sit in nature and thank the Lord for all he has given us. You can experience God’s love and presence through the wind, sun, clouds, moon, and stars. There is beauty in everything he created in nature, and it extends to you. Take a moment and think of ways he has blessed you in your life. God has given us so much to be thankful for. With the new year, God reminds us of his blessings with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, trees that take on different colors each season, flowers blooming and brightening the world around us, and a community of friends we can experience it with. Fortunately, we have an ever-present God who came to be with us on Earth and in Heaven. We are not promised a world without pain and struggles, but we are promised that we will never be alone because he is always with us. The beauty of the world around us reminds us of his daily love for us. So, from now on, use nature's beauty as a reminder of God's grace and love for us. Now, take a moment and pray.
Thank you, God, for all that you have given me. Thank you for crowning me with your glory and honor as I am created in your likeness. I am forever thankful for all you have given me, and I can see that every single day. Thank you for allowing me to see the beauty in nature and entrusting me to watch over your creations. Thank you for loving me as I am. Thank you for planning special blessings every day. I rejoice for all you have given me, mainly all you are. Amen.