Sometimes we meditate upon the love of God, or the holiness of God, or the wonder of the incarnation. Another remarkable aspect of God’s attributes and character linked with all of the above, is the condescension of God. As the psalmist writes “Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and the earth? (Psalm 113:5)”
Psalm 8 extols the glory of God in creation. When we behold a tiny fraction of the universe, or seek to understand a minute part of it, we are humbled that God should consider us, let alone send His Son to save us from our sin and reconcile us to Him.
Wesley’s hymns continue the same theme with lyrics that jump of the page and penetrate our hearts. “Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man” and “That Thou My God should die for me?”. The word ‘our’ in that line reminds us that the Creator of the Universe made us for Himself and to abide in fellowship with Him and to glorify Him. That the Son of God should give Himself as a substitutionary atoning sacrifice, is an irremovable reminder of the depth of His love and fills us with gratitude for all eternity.
Even with sincere zeal and devotion, our efforts fall painfully short. Mercifully God helps us to honour and serve Him. To whom much is forgiven they will love much also. John Newton helps us convey our love and adoration of our Lord in that “Weak is the effort of my heart and cold my warmest thought; but when I see that as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.”
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