You are our Father, we are the work of your hand. – Isaiah 64:8
In Psalm 8, David reveals that every molecule of creation points to God’s power, creativity and wisdom. When David looked up, he was awed by His creation and responded by saying, “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?” (vs. 3-4).
The use of human anatomy to describe God is called “anthropomorphism.” So when David chose to use the words “the work of Your fingers,” he ascribes human attributes to the Lord so you can better understand Him. This psalmist wrote that He needed only His fingers to do the amazing work of the universe. Typically, when you pick up something, you use the full grip of your hands. But David emphasized that God didn’t need to use His hands, arms, or shoulders. Creating the universe was simply His finger painting!
One of the Hebrew names of God in the Old Testament is Elohim which translates “God as Creator.” So if He is the Creator of all things, and the universe is simply His finger painting, then you are His unique creation. He created you for His glory and He cares for you. So when circumstances that surround you seem questionable, remember and rest in Isaiah 43:1: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” And pray that your local and national leaders would also trust in Elohim for every personal and public decision.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 64:8
But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 8
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
