"Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength." (Psalm 8:2)
We don’t expect much from babies and infants. They’re cute, but they can’t do anything for themselves, totally dependent on the care of others. So what a surprise in Psalm 8!
In this Psalm David praises God as the Maker of the heavens and earth, and says that all creation displays his majesty. Like anyone who has gazed into the night sky will attest, God has set his glory “above the heavens” (v. 1).
But the Lord is glorified not just in the grand and impressive vistas of creation, but also in the seemingly insignificant parts of his world; he is praised even through “the mouth of babies and infants.” God’s splendor is displayed by the smallest of what he has made, even in the humble form of those young children who can’t do anything for themselves.
And then it doesn’t take long for those infants to grow up and, raised in covenant homes, begin to grasp the powerful truths of who God is and the great things he has done. David says that a child’s simple faith can even silence the arrogant opponents of the LORD.
God’s glory displayed in unlikely places is seen also in the life of Christ. The Son of God came to this earth in human form, born of Mary. There was a time he was just a baby, wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. Looking at him in Bethlehem, you wouldn’t expect much, for he was weak and dependent on the care of others. Yet in him God was working on something great!
In Jesus, God displayed his glory in stunning new ways. For this little infant grew up, learning about the LORD from Joseph and Mary, then accepting his role in God’s salvation plan. Finally he lay down his life to redeem sinners from the powers of hell. By his death and resurrection, he silenced once and for all “the enemy and the avenger.”
From the most humble beginnings came such great things—from one who used to be a little baby came our salvation! God doesn’t need impressive strength to accomplish his purpose, but he can use what is weak and insignificant, displaying his glory in unlikely places. That’s still true today: no matter your age or ability, when you believe in him and rely on his Spirit, God can use you glorify his Name. In Christ, the weak are made strong!
[excerpt from Christ's Psalms, Our Psalms: Daily Meditations]
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