God does not need us
What! he who guides the stars, and keeps them revolving in their orbits by the motions of his fingers, does he need an insignificant atom like one of ourselves to serve him?
What! he whom all the hosts of angels do worship, and before whose throne the cherubim do veil their faces with their wings, does he need a tiny creature like man to give him homage and reverence?
If he did need men, he could soon create as many mighty kings and princes as he pleased to wait upon him, and he could have crowned heads to bow before his footstool, and emperors to conduct him through the world in triumph. But he needs not men; he can do without them if he pleases.
O you stars! you are bright; but you are not the lamps which light the way of God; he needs you not.
O sun! you are bright; but your heat warms not Jehovah.
O earth! you are beautiful; but your beauty is not needed to gladden his heart; God is glad enough without you.
O you lightnings! though you write his name in fire upon the midnight darkness, he needs not your brightness.
And you, wild ocean! you are mighty; but though you hymn his deep praise in your solemn chorus, your storms do not add to his glory.
You winds! though you attend the march of God across the pathless ocean; — you thunders! though you utter God’s
voice in terrible majesty, and track the onward progress of the God of armies, he needs you not.
He is great without you, great beyond you, great above you; and, as he needs you not, he needs us not.