Knowing God in our Plans
‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’ Psalm 8:4
I hope your Christmas season has been a blessed one where the Lord has been with you and renewed you. As we look ahead to the new year, there can be mixed emotions as we reflect on the various wins and losses of 2023 and the hopes and challenges ahead in 2024. In those moments could I invite you to read through Psalm 8 and to keep something in your mind and heart as you pray and plan for the months ahead.
In verse 1-3 we see the grandiosity of God, whose glory fills not just the Earth but the heavens, spanning all reality. His praises are established from the moment life is conceived and those that go against him are silenced. This God we worship is much mightier than any circumstance or system we are within. Humans are merely creatures driven by the waves of uncertainly. But God is unchanged and immutable by any powers in this universe.
In verse 4, we see that this majestic God is one that cares for humankind. That wonderful truth is worth taking a moment to contemplate and meditate on. The king of the universe, Thinks of you. Cares for you. Loves you. He sets humans a little lower than angels and over all other created beings (v5-9). God is worthy of all praise.
If the Lord is with you next year, are there any plans you would change? Or any plans you would make anew? If the Lord is with you next year, then could you be more courageous? More generous? More compassionate? More faithful?
Plan knowing that God has you in His plans. May 2024 be one where God reveals His glory and sovereignty in our community.
在我們的計劃中認識神
“人算甚麼，你竟顧念他？世人算甚麼，你竟眷顧他？ ”詩篇8:4
我希望你的聖誕節是一個蒙福的節期，有主與你同在並更新了你。當我們展望新的一年時，我們反思著2023年的各種得勝和失敗以及2024年的希望和挑戰，我們的情緒可能會很複雜。就在那些時刻，讓我邀請你通過讀詩篇第8篇，並當你為未來幾個月祈禱和計劃時，在你的思想和心中請謹記著一些東西。
在1-3節中，我們看到神的偉大，祂的榮耀不僅充滿大地，也充滿天空，遍及一切實在的。從生命誕生的那一刻起，他的讚美就確立了，那些反對他的被阻止發聲。我們敬拜的這位神比我們所處的任何環境或系統都強大得多。人類只是被不可知的浪潮所驅使著的生物。但神是不變的而且宇宙中的任何力量都不能改變祂。
在第4節中，我們看到這位威嚴的神是一位關心人類的神。這奇妙的真理值得花時間用心思考和沈思。宇宙之王，念著你，關心你，愛你。他將人類置於稍微比天使低一點但高於所有其他受造之物（5-9節）。神配得一切讚美。
如果明年主與你同在，你的計畫會有什麼改變嗎？或者你會重新制定什麼計劃嗎？如果明年主與你同在，你能更勇敢一點嗎？更慷慨嗎？更有同情心嗎？更忠誠嗎？
計劃時要知道你已是在神的計劃中。願2024年是神在我們的群體中彰顯祂的榮耀和主權的日子。
