The Bible is full of these contrasts. God is so high, and yet so condescending; full of majesty, yet "plenteous in mercy to all who call upon Him."
There is no contradiction in the contrast; but God's needs are never necessities. Our needs arise out of our nature. We need food, clothing, and comforts, friendship and sympathy; but all God's needs come from His will and His love.
How beautifully this appears in the life of Jesus! He came to earth as a little Infant, needing a mother's care. He grew up in humble circumstances, and when He went forth, at thirty years of age, to preach the Gospel, "the Son of Man had not where to lay His head." He also needed the many ministries of love His devoted followers rendered to Him. And when He died, others must provide the grave-clothes and the tomb, for He had none of His own.
"Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich."
"For our sakes!" This is the keynote to all the needs of the Almighty.
The Father of the Lord Jesus Christ chose His people in His Son before the foundation of the world, and the father of a family needs his children because they are his own, and he loves them.
The shepherd needs his sheep to be safe, and will not willingly lose them. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who bought His sheep with His own life and blood, and must needs gather and keep them every one.
The physician needs patients whose healing shall proclaim his knowledge and skill, and the Great Physician of sin-sick hearts will glorify Himself by bringing perfect health and cure to all who are led to Him by the Holy Spirit.
Do we feel our need of Him? Have we discovered that we are fallen, lost, guilty, and diseased? Then He needs us, and has shown us our need, that He may relieve, supply, and bless us with His great salvation.
In the same way He needs His people's services for their own sakes.