Sober Judgment and a High View

“O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:1,3-4

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears... And now, O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.” 1 Chronicles 17:16-20,26-27

“By the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3

There is so much about David that is admirable and attractive and worthy of emulation. Certainly he made some gross errors in judgment and let emotions dictate choices to grave sin, but from early on, when God had him in the sheep fields, he learned a high view of his God. It captured his heart, saturated his thinking, and colored his view of everything, including his understanding of himself and where he fit in God’s plan. (1 Samuel 17:32-37, 43-50)

He was a man, like us, who never lost sight of his Master, the only true Lord. He was ruddy, handsome, and brave, yet delighted in the beauty and strength of God. He was a brilliant and successful king, yet regularly acknowledged his dependence on Almighty God who had called him. (1 Samuel 16:12; Psalm 25:1-5; 27:4; 31:14

Understanding who we are by soberly assessing ourselves is a good way to begin plumb the depths of God who made and redeemed us. And contemplating Him in His infinite splendor helps us to see ourselves soberly. The seesaw of this regular meditation is healthy and instructive for our outlook on others, the ideas that bombard us through media, and world events.

Where are we caught up in the tangle of comparisons with other people- strengths, looks, achievements- and so blur our sight to a realistic view of self and the true authority of our King of kings? What have we allowed to cloud our vision? Taking a long look at the clear night or deep blue sky will sober and realign us.

Lord, I want my Father’s eyes. I want to see as You see, both myself, and Your royal splendor. Grant me honest, holy vision for Your kingdom and Your kingdom’s sake.