Project Description

2018/03

Lord, what is man that thou takest knowledge of him!

Man, who is made a little lower than the angels, is a piece of dust enlivened with the breath of God. He is but a creature, and because of sin, a condemned creature under sentence of death. A dark background this, for the question contained in the Psalmist’s words: ‘Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!’ (Psalm 144:3). Yet man, though sinful and miserable, was not beyond God’s notice. Such attention clearly didn’t flow from any virtues of birth or beauty, for he had none. Neither had the Lord need of him to supply some lack in Himself. ‘Can a man be profitable unto God, as He that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?’ (Job 22:2,3) What wonder even that after the first sin of Adam, God didn’t cut down the root of mankind and prevent him continuing to bear the fruits of sin and rebellion against Him!

Whatever regard the Lord shows, it is the fruit of His own free grace and sovereign good pleasure. What grace that His electing love passed by fallen angels and rested on sinful man! The Father having purposed to save a multitude that no man can number, sent the Son of His eternal love as their Redeemer, Mediator and Advocate. The great storehouses of grace were opened and man, though dead and buried in his grave of his sin, is awakened and brought from death unto life. God becomes an everlasting Father to him and he is put among the children, being made an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Then finally to come in person to Mount Zion the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where there is no need of the sun or moon because the glory of the Lord lightens it and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21). What of the enjoyment of an eternal day of glory where the Sun of righteousness shall never set or be eclipsed; the experience of possessing eternal life in its fullness and knowing eternal likeness and conformity to the Saviour; having an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fades not away. Surely His regard for His people is far more than heart can conceive or tongue express!

Since the regard He has for us is so amazing and wonderful then we must show our regard to Him and for Him by taking heed to His word, by remembering His day to keep it holy, and by sanctifying His great Name in our hearts by espousing His cause and the interests of His kingdom. O, to know that He who has measured the heavens with a span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, weighed the mountains in scales and hills in a balance, and takes the waters of the ocean in the hollow of His hand, should take notice of unworthy man!

Rev Leslie Curran.