878 Every Step of God’s Work Is for the Life of Man
Intro
God has become flesh this time
to complete His unfinished work,
to judge this age, bring it to an end,
save the sinful from the world of pain
and utterly transform them.
Verse 1
God spends sleepless nights for the work of mankind.
From the heights to the depths, He has descended
to the living hell to spend time with people.
He’s never complained of the world’s shabbiness,
He’s never rebuked man’s defiance,
but bears disgrace as He does work Himself.
Verse 2
How could God be of hell or spend His life there?
But for mankind’s sake, so man can rest sooner,
He’s endured disgrace and borne injustice
to come down to earth and go into “hell,”
to the tiger’s den for man’s salvation.
What qualifies man to go against God?
Bridge
How can man complain about God?
Or have the gall to look upon God?
Verse 3
God’s come from heaven to this vile land of vice,
never venting objections or gripes about man.
He quietly accepts man’s oppression and abuse,
and has never opposed man’s absurd demands
or demanded of man unreasonable things;
He does the work man needs with no complaint.
Verse 4
He enlightens, reproaches and refines with words;
He reminds, prods, consoles, judges and reveals.
Which of His steps has not been for mankind?
Though He’s removed man’s prospects and fate,
which steps have not been for man’s survival,
or to free man from pain, from dark forces?
Outro
Who understands God’s eager heart,
which is like that of a loving mother?
Adapted from “Work and Entry” in The Word Appears in the Flesh