Man's littleness and his greatness.
"What is man," etc.? The littleness and greatness of man are set before us here in powerful contrast. In view of this vast magnificent universe, he seems a speck, an atom, a vapour that appears and vanishes (James 4:14). But the love, care, grace of his Maker lift him to a height where he sees the world at his feet; he is endowed with a life, heir to a glory, that shall endure when the earth and the heavens pass away.
I. There is THE EARTHLY SIDE OF HUMAN LIFE. Its littleness, frailty, brevity. "What is man?"
1. Compare the actual littleness and bodily weakness of man with the immensity of the material universe, the awful might of its never-wearying forces, the stability of its structure, the unswerving, undenying constancy of its laws. Illustrate from the discoveries of astronomy, geology, etc. Compare a long human life with that of an oak of a thousand years. But a thousand years are but a day—a few minutes—compared with the mighty past, the eternal future (1 Chronicles 29:15; Psalms 90:3-6).
2. Consider the narrow limits of human life. Deduct from the effective force of even a well-spent life the time absorbed by infancy, sleep, sickness, trifles, outward hindrances, weakness, and decay. How great a proportion of the race is immersed in barbarism! How limited is man's knowledge, even with the vast accessions of this century, compared with his illimitable ignorance! How powerless is he in the grasp of circumstances! If the Earth but stirs in her sleep, his cities fall. If the wind blows in its strength, his navies are wrecked. If the invisible seeds of pestilence crowd the air, he must breathe or die—his science is baffled. If the clouds withhold rain or pour out too much, famine enters his home. If the earth refuses him gold, or yields it too rapidly and easily, his commerce is deranged (Psalms 39:5, Psalms 39:6).
3. Consider, too, the perishing, vanishing nature of man's greatest achievements, richest possessions, sweetest earthly joys and hopes. It is no wonder that, with those who meditate deeply on human life, and observe largely, seeing only its earthly side, philosophy should turn sour and curdle into "pessimism." "Is life worth living?
II. THE DIVINE SIDE. "Thou art mindful of him;… thou visitest him." The greatness and glory of man's nature are seen:
1. In its origin. (Psalms 8:5.) Man is the child of God (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:27; Acts 17:28, Acts 17:29).
2. In the care of God's providence. In those unmeasured ages, before man arrived, which so oppress our imagination, God was preparing the earth for man. For other creatures also, it is true, but not as for him. To each lower creature he gave its own haunt, its own food; but they sow no harvests, plant no forests, quarry no hills, pasture no flocks, navigate no seas; know nothing of nature as a whole—its beauty, mystery, wealth of enjoyment. For man was made the whole (Psalms 8:6-8). It is God who has made the universe man's storehouse, and "ministereth seed," etc. (2 Corinthians 9:10).
3. In what we may call spiritual providence; the grace and love which order the life of each one of God's children, making sorrow and trouble a gracious discipline (Hebrews 12:6, Hebrews 12:7; Hebrews 13:5).
4. Above all, in God's unspeakable Gift. (1 John 5:11.) In the incarnate Son of God our humanity is exalted to the supreme height of glory (Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 2:6-9). To the image of his glory the humblest believer is to be raised (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2).
LESSONS.
1. Humility.
2. Faith.
3. Adoration.