“Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!” Psalm 144:3
In Psalm 8, and Psalm 144, we find David writing the same thing. Why? Why does this man of faith, led by the Spirit, come again and again to the consideration of man’s smallness, so small that he would wonder why God would even consider that he exists? It is for the same reason that Isaiah would write: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.” (40:6) He goes on to write: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” (vs. 6,8) Why is the contrast between God and man, the words and actions of men, and those of God, which are so infintely different in scope and magnitude, so important for man to grasp? At the most simple and somewhat understandable level, it is because of the holy nature of God, and the greatness and worth of His person. If man is to live by faith, he must come to grips with with his limitations, and impossibilities, with regard to that which is well-pleasing and acceptable to God. It was the aged O. Hallesby, who having written a classic on prayer, declared that the first great condition for prayer was the acknowledgement and acceptance of one’s own helplessness. Indeed, the consciousness of one’s helplessness is the precursor to faith, for as long as a sinful man, relying upon himself, seeks the righteousness of God, he will never have it. However, find a man who knows his sinfulness, and helplessness in the face of it, who will cry unto God to receive His mercy and grace, and there you will find a man who is accepted by God. It was the Lord Jesus who said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) So, how does being “poor in spirit,” conscious and persuaded of one’s own helplessness in the face of God, standing before that which is good and holy, have to do with living in the expectancy of God working in might, and power, by the Spirit?
Throughout the Old Testament, and into the New, we find the call of God to man is to trust Him alone, wholly submitting to Him, and depending upon Him according the His word, specifically, His promises. When God finds a man who would be wholly His, the Lord will teach that man to become totally reliant upon Him for all things. We know that, from the creation of man, to the accomplishment of the work of redemption on Calvary, by the precious blood of Christ, man had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was God’s initiative and working that brought about creation by the power and authority of His spoken word. It would be also, uniquely by the power and authority of Christ’s spoken word, that the work of redemption was accomplished on the cross. Again, man had nothing to do with this. Thus, man cannot contribute to the finished work of God, whether in creation or redemption. All he can do is RECEIVE. But he cannot receive until he first sees the need to do so, and then is convicted that it is the only way to know God. Man, in and of himself, is nothing, and can do nothing. So, where does this leave sinful and lost man? It leaves him in darkness until, in response to the light of the gospel of Christ, light of Life shines into his darkened heart, there to give man the capacity to call upon God, and receive from God, cleansing from his sins, and true, eternal life by the Spirit. Out of man’s helplessness, by the grace and mercy of God, comes an opportunity to know God in Christ. What then about expectancy?
The measure of one’s expectancy in God’s working depends first upon his vision of God’s great goodness and love. Secondly, faith in God’s faithfulness believes and receives all in Christ.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.