What is man...

Do you remember Lucifer's rebellion and how disgusting it was? Though made a perfect instrument to sing the Fathers praise, he turned to vain pride and sought his own glory. But, the Father would not have His will denied and made for Himself a new instrument of His glory.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen 1: 27)

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Gen 2: 7)

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (Is. 43: 7)

A flute is just a tube of wood or metal, inert and silent. Only when the musician lifts it to his lips and sends his breath through does the flute come to life. It resonates from the breath of the player and sends out beautiful sound into the surrounding space. So it is with man, that the Father breathed life into dust that His glory might resonate throughout His creation!

We are but a vessel made to express and magnify the Father's spirit. We are that instrument made to replace the fallen one. Is it any wonder that the old Dragon hates us so and seeks to thwart the will of the Father? Let Satan go to his destruction; we will not join his rebellion! We will offer ourselves to be the Father's instrument that He may be glorified. Each and everyone of us is a unique expression of some facet of that spirit and will not allow ourselves to be conformed to some other image. For, for in doing so, we would deny the Father part of His expression. We will not be cut upon and forced into some mold of another's choosing, but will remain true to the character He formed in us.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkenss out of the prison house. (Is. 42: 1,6-7)

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Is 43: 1)

The Father's plan was born, but the Deceiver would not quit! In jealousy and pride, he sought to destroy what the Father had made. No mercy would be given to Satan, for God is just. However, if Satan could corrupt man, then man would have to be condemned also, or the Father's word would be false. But, our Father outsmarted Satan and planned a plan from the beginning that would demonstrate Himself in a way that all of heaven had never seen. The mercy of God that was not seen before is now made manifest for us. By the blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, we have been redeemed. By the obedience of our Lord Jesus, the Father's plan was made perfect. Redemption for his children; destruction for the Liar and all who follow him. God has bought us back and lifted us up, while not granting mercy to Satan, without corrupting His own word. If God merely forgave us, Satan would have cause for complaint. But the Father has redeemed us by the blood of His own Son, our kinsmen redeemer and perfect husband.

What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalm 8: 4-9)

What then are we that the Father would go to such great lengths? There is a great mystery of our Father that has confounded many and been a stumbling block for ages. How is it that eternal, incorporeal spirit may move within a time-bound physical world? The great sages of the past have never understood. How could they? Until Jesus walked the earth, this was never truly seen. But He has put the Father on display and shown us what He is and what we shall be for Him. The eternal God remains timeless, yet, His spirit in us moves through time. He is Alpha and Omega, with perfect knowledge of all that was, is and will be, yet, in us, His spirit works from cause to effect. He is all-knowing, yet, His spirit in us walks by faith with uncertainty of where those steps will lead. When His spirit fills our heart and we are completely obedient to His will, He sees through our eyes and hears with our ears, and thus, He manifests Himself within His creation while remaining without. Think how awesome and incredible that is! Consider what an honor it is to be chosen and elect for this task.

We are the Holy Temple of His glory. But, He will not corrupt Himself by cohabiting with sin. The Temple must first be cleansed by the blood of the sacrifice. Only then does the Shekinah descend into the Holy place to dwell. So it is with us. Cleansed by the blood of our Savior, our heart becomes the habitation of His Holy Spirit and the Father's desire to manifest His glory within His creation is fulfilled. With perfect obedience and faith, by His grace, we become the vessel of His spirit and the instrument of His will.

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, . . . let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. (Is. 42:7-12)

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? (Is. 43:6-8)

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. (Is 43:12)

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5:32)

Let our hearts and voices resonate with praise as we sing unto the Lord a new song! As His word has declared, He gives us foreknowledge that we may be prepared. Let us then be a witness in this day of the glory of the Father as we move forth to manifest His will. And, when we consider all that the Father has done, how can we not help but join the Angels looking down from heaven in spontaneous and joyous praise:

Glory to YAWEH Elohim! There is none like Him!