Many are in the process of enjoying the gracious salvation of the Lord, and the good news is there is much more grace to be had coming around the corner. Hear Isaiah describe the fantastic coming of the Savior:
It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem … O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:2-5)
Many are already in the process or reaping the just wrath of the Lord. Sadly, the doom and gloom has only just begun. There is much more condemnation coming over the horizon. Isaiah drops the hammer on all who are arrogant, and all who keep not God’s laws and neglect his salvation:
The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low … And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away. And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. In that day mankind will … enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. (Isaiah 2:11-21)
Therefore, the gracious call goes out from the inspired prophet:
Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he? (Isaiah 2:22)
Who is man? He is someone magnificently created in the image of God who has been custom-designed to give glory and honor to his Creator.
Who is man? He is someone who has been conceived in sin, and he has proven his fallen condition by intentionally stiffening his neck, shaking his fist in the face of the Almighty, while spurning his ethic and laughing at his rebuke. Now, he is a convicted felon living on borrowed time on God’s death row, and this is “as good as it gets” for him. For, when his days come to an end, his hell begins.
Who is THE MAN? He is Jesus Christ. He is the one who saw the willful rebellion of men and chose to give them grace. He is the Creator who laid aside his divine privileges to take on the humble flesh of his creatures. He humbled himself, forced himself to endure the harsh rigors of fallen humanity, placed himself under his own ceremonial laws, willingly chose to obey asinine leaders, earned the righteousness of some, and then suffered their deserved condemnation. He earned heaven and took hell for all who would hear the Gospel, bow the knee, and repent. He took his own declared terror, that those who believe might never fear.
Therefore, with this truth in mind, would we really continue making such a big deal of man?
- All potentates are pawns in the hands of the King of Kings
- All politicians rise and fall according to the decisions of the Lord of Lords
- All athletes win and lose as the Victor providentially determines
- All executives watch their fortunes come and go; the Owner makes rich and poor
- All pastors witness spiritual hardening and softening; revival belongs to the Priest
- All parents give birth to prodigals; the Heavenly Father gives no birth to some
- All husbands are impotent; Christ is the groom their wives need most
- All counselors are plagiarists; they steal from the Wonderful Counselor
- All entertainers are borrowers; they enjoy talent on loan from God
Will we really continue to be like the emperor who has no clothes? Will we be so arrogant as to conclude our stink doesn’t stink? How much longer will we think more highly of ourselves than we ought? Brothers, “None of us are THE MAN!”
Will we continue to make “big deals” of those focused upon in the public eye? How much longer will we worship those famous today and fallen tomorrow? They may think, “I’m the man!” Others may herald, “Your the man!” But the true truth is – they are not even in the same category as THE MAN.
So what will it be? Another day of lunacy? Or will we cease the lunacy and “stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?” (Is. 2:22) Today is the day to love, laud, and live for Jesus Christ. He’s THE MAN. He always has been. He always will be, and he is readily present to grace anyone and everyone longing to enjoy and glorify him.
Therefore, I would encourage you to take the gaze off yourself and others, and place it on Jesus. I might even encourage you to talk with him in prayer right now and throughout the day. For it is a fantastic thing to realize THE MAN is focused on you. Friends, talk with him right now. He’s looking your way. He’s calling your name. Why keep him waiting?
Unfathomable Grace 