Why Bother?

Psalm 8

Eugene Peterson’s translation renders vs 4 like this: “Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?” (Psalm 8:4, The Message). Why indeed would God – described by the psalmist as the One who has created this world in which we live – even give us a thought? Humans are insignificant in size compared to celestial objects like the moon, the sun, and the starts. Indeed, compared to other created beings humans are height and weight challenged.

Yet only humans were created ‘in the image of God’ (see Genesis 1:26-28). Only humans were created that we might have a relationship with God. The rest of creation can and does honor God by its very existence. Humans, however, honor and praise God with words, with deeds, and with obedience.

Why does God bother? He bothers because our praise – in word and deed – reflects His magnificence and His majesty.