What is man?

Job 7:17-18

What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

This is the age-old question. What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Why would God look upon man, which is a worm? Why would He magnify him to be seen and heard by God? Why would He take the time to pay attention and consideration to the lowly, insignificant needs of mankind? Why would He visit us? And yet! And yet! He does visit us! He is ever with us! His presence constantly abides! He visits us every morning! Oh, praise the Lord for this! There is a never a morning I wake in which I cannot immediately begin a new session of communion with my God! Every morning, He is accessible, able to be reached within a moment’s time. He visits very morning! Thank God for this—that He would condescend to the low estate of his servants and handmaidens. And it says that the Lord sets His heart on man. His heart! It is not enough that the Lord knows all, but He also feels all! The Lord, of His own choice, sets His heart of compassion and care upon men and women. He lavished them with His kindness and tender mercies. He delights in their way. He rejoices in loving them and watching over them. He knows every hair of their head! He knows their struggles, their trials, and their difficulties. He sets His love upon their sorrows, and lifts them out of their sadness. What an incredible truth here—that He sets His heart upon man!

But there is another statement here worth investigating. Job asks why the Lord would try him every moment. It may seem a negative thing that He would try our way, but let us not see it this way! Let us look at the positivity of the Lord’s intricate workings in our lives. That He looks at each of us individuals and conforms us to the beautiful vessel of glory that He intends to produce. It is a beautiful thing! He tries us because He loves us! He reforms us because He cares for us! He delicately fashions us because He deliberately invests in us. He cares for every detail, and takes time for every person. It is a blessed thing that He tries us every moment! What is man? He is large enough to be visited every moment by a loving, caring God.

Dear one, rejoice in God’s care today, no matter what form it may take. It is better to be visited with trials today, than to be passed over to fend for yourself. I would rather be delicately and deliberately tried by God, than to have God’s presence removed. “I am weakness, full of weakness!” as the song writer has said. Without Him, I am nothing! Let us thank Him this day for His daily and glorious visitation.

“Dear Father, thank you that you pay attention to the lowly and sinful state of us, and try us to make us your pure vessels. Help us never to despise the purgation of the Lord, but help us to receive it from you, for it afterward yeildeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised thereby. We thank you that you care so intimately for us, and we know it is all for our good. We thank you that every morning we can find you ready to aid, help, and guide. Although Thou art in Heaven, and we on earth, Thou dost constantly visit us! How we thank Thee and praise Thee! In Jesus’ name alone we pray, Amen.”