Marvelously Unique
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"
Psalm 139:14
Psalm 139:14
Human
beings are not special—at least according to the London Zoo. In 2005,
the zoo introduced a four-day exhibit: “Humans in Their Natural
Environment.” The human “captives” were chosen through an online
contest. To help visitors understand the humans, the zoo workers created
a sign detailing their diet, habitat, and threats. According to the
zoo’s spokesperson, the goal of the exhibit was to downplay the
uniqueness of human beings. One participant in the exhibit seemed to
agree. “When they see humans as animals, here, it kind of reminds them
that we’re not that special.”
What a stark contrast to what the Bible says about human beings: God “fearfully and wonderfully” made us in “his image” (Psalm 139:14; Genesis 1:26–27).
David began Psalm 139 by celebrating God’s intimate knowledge of him (vv. 1–6) and His all-encompassing presence (vv. 7–12). Like a master weaver, God not only formed the intricacies of David’s internal and external features (vv. 13–14), but He also made him a living soul, giving spiritual life and the ability to intimately relate to God. Meditating on God’s handiwork, David responded in awe, wonder, and praise (v. 14).
Human beings are special. God created us with marvelous uniqueness and the awesome ability to have an intimate relationship with Him. Like David, we can praise Him because we’re the workmanship of His loving hands.
What a stark contrast to what the Bible says about human beings: God “fearfully and wonderfully” made us in “his image” (Psalm 139:14; Genesis 1:26–27).
David began Psalm 139 by celebrating God’s intimate knowledge of him (vv. 1–6) and His all-encompassing presence (vv. 7–12). Like a master weaver, God not only formed the intricacies of David’s internal and external features (vv. 13–14), but He also made him a living soul, giving spiritual life and the ability to intimately relate to God. Meditating on God’s handiwork, David responded in awe, wonder, and praise (v. 14).
Human beings are special. God created us with marvelous uniqueness and the awesome ability to have an intimate relationship with Him. Like David, we can praise Him because we’re the workmanship of His loving hands.
Reflect & Pray
What
are some practical implications of knowing and believing you’re
fearfully and wonderfully made? What are some negative consequences of
not believing this?
God created human beings to be like Him.
Thank God we are all unique. Wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same. The only up side would be that we could finish all of each other's sentences.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of an article written by Mark Twain titled "The Lowest Animal" in which he disaggress with the Darwinian theory that man ascended from lower animals but rather has regressed from the animal kingdom. With tongue in cheek black humor, he argues this point because of man's senseless cruelty. However, this actually supports the Biblical definition of man as a fallen creation and because mankind is wonderfully made, we also have a great capacity to do either good or evil. Animals are more instinctive in their behavior patterns. Although, judging from history, it might seem that way with the human race at times as well .
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting and definitely disturbing devotional, some nice alliteration there. Yikes! We are not special?! Is God special? The creator of this magnificent and complex world? Look around, creators of this exhibit, and see God's handiwork. It is truly so magnificent that we cannot comprehend its infinite beauty.
ReplyDeleteIf we are made in God's image, we are included/imbued with some of the awe and divinity that we strive to thank God for each day. I can understand in our current narcissistic culture, to bring awareness to how small we are could be a good thing, but that we are small in comparison to Him who created us, gives us life, purpose, knows us intimately, can count the hairs on our head, is infinitely awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is my take. Not to have a poor view of ourselves, but to have a larger view of God.
this was mike jones by the way
DeleteWow this is so interesting, honestly I had never heard of this before. But, when I think about it a bit more I realize that we are so special and unique, He has created us in his image and we are each so different and set apart from one another. God detailed us to each hair on our head knowing all the small details of our lives. When we sit and think about how he created us and how incredibly detailed we are it blows my mind because I realize how big our GOD is and how small I am.
ReplyDelete