What is man that thou art mindful of him? Indeed these words of David recorded in Psalm chapter eight chimes the sound of great wonder within my soul. How could God be mindful of me? I am nothing more than a created being bound by physical, mental, and spiritual limitations. How can I, in comparison to God, view my insignificant existence?
In his Psalm, David spoke of the excellence in God’s name. The name of God references the nature, power, and authority of God. It is the very attributes or nature of God that produced and sustains all creation, both physical and non-physical. We ponder the beauty of the night sky and serenity of the morning choir as they chirp the praises of God. They are small and fragile creatures that grace the sky with flights of glory, yet insignificant compared to man, who is the image-bearer of God.
How could the author and creator of the universe be mindful of such insignificant creatures? How could God elect to redeem such heinous sinners? The depth of God’s grace and attention to rebellious creatures is awe-inspiring in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Shame, guilt, and regret infiltrate the years of our life. Yet, the grace and mercy of God inoculate the pain of rebellion and the smugness of self-righteousness. Pride predates a great fall. A great fall humbles us before a great God.
We are born in Adam and if God sheds his grace upon us we are reborn in the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have no claim to fame, but that God lifts us up in accordance to His will, and brings us down like Job of ancient times, who suffered for the sake of the glory of God.
Who is man that God would be mindful of him? He is the image-bearer of God and unique among the creatures of God. He is the recipient of God’s mercy and grace, either common among men for temporary benefit and blessing or specific for eternal redemption. Man is nobody and yet somebody, sinner and image-bearer, rebel and saint. Man is a complex paradox that brings glory to God through grace, mercy, and obedience. Man is the focus of creation and the center of corruption that morphs into sainthood by means of God’s grace and mercy. The holiness of God condemns man, and the grace and mercy of God redeem man. To this, we groan from the very depths of our soul the words, “To God be the glory”.
By Jeff “The Brain” Claiborne
Staff Writer
The Vortex Apologetic
The Vortex Apologetic 