Man Walks – God Walks

Uplook – July/August 2019 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Man Walks — God Walks

This poem was written 50 years ago, when man walked on the moon for the first time.

“Man walks on the moon” – the news broke on the world As earth’s pale, silent satellite received her guest; One step by man, great leap for all mankind – Proud words of vict’ry as there came to rest On lunar soil the weight of human feet,
Borne there by the flagship of our astrofleet.

We hail the coolness and the fortitude Of those who risked all in their gallant quest; Along with their forerunners in the human race Who did their fortunes on the wheel of fame invest. Man conquers land, sea, air, space, other spheres,
Oft at the cost of blood, toil, sweat and tears.

And now a plaque bears record on the moon: To quote, “We came in peace for all mankind.” Peace? We may ask the question whence it came – Out of the hearts of men they left behind? What peace can we bestow from out our dearth?
Strangers to peace, shedders of blood on earth!1

By one man entered sin and by sin death;2We know the lines so well, ignore their shame, And in the footsteps of our ancestors Make us a tower, a city and a name:3 A cosmic tower whose top may reach to heav’n –
Man’s mortal five would rise through six to seven.4

And while we celebrate each stagg’ring feat, Pour out our praises in magnificence, There goes unheeded daily by our ears News for mankind of matchless consequence. Yet news, that told, calls forth the skeptic’s mirth:
Not “Man walked on the moon” but “God, on earth.”

That day in hist’ry had no great acclaim From this world’s citizens; no flick’ring screen Flashed round the world the news “Emmanuel!” 5As God in human form on earth was seen. No gloss and glitter of a Christmas play,
But noisome stable and a bed of hay.6 Yet was the news proclaimed by mightier powers: Angels in unison relayed their mirth. Praising the Lord, these words: “Glory to God, “Goodwill to man,” they sang, and “Peace on earth!” 7 Peace? we may ask - why yes, the peace of God
Brought by the One who made our peace by blood.8

And did we hail the advent of our God? Did we His peace within our hearts enfold As He came here in peace for all mankind? Did we announce the event in headlines bold? Did we not then, offended, envious,
Say, “We’ll not have this Man reign over us?” 9

Listen to Peter in his bold address: “You, who a murderer’s release have willed, “You have denied The Holy One, The Just, “In ignorance the Prince of Life have killed!” 10 What wonder then that peace should men elude,
Who to their death the Prince of Peace pursued.

So in our time man’s restless spirit roams, Scanning the frontiers of receding space; Questing for knowledge still beyond his grasp, Spurning the bounds of his appointed place;11 Thirsting unsatisfied, yet striving still
To fill a void which only God can fill.12

Earth is man’s habitation; of its mould 13Man was created; from God’s Word we learn That though God in His image us has made,14Yet dust we are, to dust we shall return.15 Though man among the stars should set his nest,16
Yet earth must be his final place of rest.17

And God will triumph! Peace shall reign on earth;18Under the Prince of Peace shall wars be still, And, well content beneath that peaceful rule, Men fill the earth they were designed to fill.19 Then earth rejoice! His advent is at hand;
The King of Kings on Olivet shall stand! 20—Paul Allison

ENDNOTES
1. Rom. 3:15,17
2. Rom. 5:12
3. Gen. 11:4
4. Gen. 3:5; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 13:18
5. Mt. 1:23
6. Lk. 2:7 7. Lk. 2:14
8. Col. 1:2,20
9. Lk. 19:14
10. Acts 3:14-17
11. Acts 17:26
12. Jn. 4:13-14
13. Isa. 45:18. 14. Gen. 1:26
15. Gen. 3:19
16. Obad. 1:4
17. Eccl. 12:7
18. Isa. 9:7
19. Amos 9:14; Gen. 1:28
20. Zech. 14:4