Joel Hendon

“What Is Man, That Thou Art Mindful Of Him?” Good Question


Posted: Saturday, January 30, 2010

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

Have you ever sat (or lain) outside and gazed into the stars and wondered about the question above? I suspect that most have, only those of the atheist persuasion would leave off the second phrase. But when you realize the magnitude of the universe, and you cannot conceive of it, it makes one wonder why a worthless speck out of all this would be worthy of an almighty and omniscient being having any interest whatsoever in him.

David, writer of this psalm, was a shepherd boy when he was young. It is easily understood how he could feel this way as he lay in the open moonlight while watching his father's sheep. Here is an extension of his speaking to God in this instance.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:3-9)

David had been brought up in a devout family of Jews and held strong faith in God. His faith was such that it earned for him the respect of God. Luke, the author of the book of acts reveals this statement from God:

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts: 13:22)

He often talked to God and wrote his words down, and the above title is one of those times. And you can well understand his feelings. God, so omniscient he knows every thing there is to be known. The Bible mentions that no sparrow falls without His knowledge. But in reality, that is nothing in comparison to the immensity of His infinite wisdom and knowledge. He also knows the exact number of celestial bodies in the universe, even the number of molecules within their mass. Inconceivable to the human mind. When viewed from this perspective one can see the profoundness of David's question.

Can we, with our finite minds, answer the question for David? Not likely, in the depth that David intended. But God reveals His love for us which is deeper than it is possible for man to love. We can find scriptures which bear glances of His love for us. And, this love of the Father was also manifested in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Many atheists, skeptics and the like, often give examples of the harshness of God. If those people will read, they will see that He was harsh with those whose faith was weak or totally missing and were disobedient to Him. I've even heard some express their disdain over the fact that man is a free moral agent. Saying that you do not have to obey him but you will live eternally in punishment, and they declare that is not much of a choice. It is an exceeding wonderful choice. It is your choice, God created you and he did so with the full intent of man having faith in Him and obeying His will. He has that right.

If a person is driving along and comes to a fork in the road, one takes him on to safety but the other goes over a cliff. Does that mean he has to die? He has the choice of taking the good road. Whether or not one spends eternity in heaven or in hell is his own choice. He may be angry at God for giving him only one good choice, but it is as good a choice as the one to hell is bad. So there should be no criticism. I've heard people say they would prefer to just die and be forever gone than to have to live a Christian life!! The problem with such a person is, they cannot envision (1) eternal life, (2) the quality of life furnished by an omnipotent Father.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. (Proverbs 8:17 NKJV)

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15)

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Stan Millar 1 year 323 days ago.
GOOD THING, OUR CHOICE, OUR FREE WILL, OUR DESTINY , OUR ETERNITY,
 
OUR TIME WITH THE FATHER , OUR CHOICE OF OUR LORD .
 
THANK YOU JESUS
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