Psalm 8:5 (NLT)
“Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.”
Many, through the years, have had a hard time grasping this verse. Even King James, when translating the Bible into English, substituted the word “Elohim,” which means “God,” with the word “Angels.” But, regardless of how hard it may be to grasp, God makes it clear, through the Psalmist David, that He has crowned us, His children, and has set upon us a place of special honor, second only to Himself.
So how should we react and respond to such a position of honor? Our response should be similar to that of Joseph. Joseph was elevated to the 2ndhighest position in all the land of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself, yet he didn’t let that honor go to his head. He did, however, walk in the authority he had been given and conducted himself accordingly, performing the tasks and assignments he had been given. He also didn’t seek revenge when he could easily have done so.
After his father Jacob’s passing, Joseph responded to his brothers with humility, mercy, grace and care. Such should be the case for you and me. We must walk in the authority we have been given by God, knowing who we are and what we’ve been sent here to do. And, at the same time, showing grace, mercy, and love to all we encounter.