In reading the creation story we see how God spoke light and darkness disappeared. The sky, the land, the seas, the vegetation, day and night, seasons and years, living creatures (of the seas and land), the stars, the moon, and the sun, etc. all came into existence through His spoken Word.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
I have read this verse before but while reading it recently I noticed something remarkable which I never thought about before. In the verses preceding 26, God spoke a word, and creation came into existence. But in verse 26 God said, “Let us make human beings in our own image.”
So here’s a confession: I have a mind that enjoys imagining things. While reading this verse, I imagined there being a meeting in heaven, and God Almighty, excitedly, saying to attendees; “As you all have seen, I created everything with the power of my spoken word. But there is one last creation we need to make, and it’s going to be a masterpiece! Let us make human beings, in our own likeness. Not only are they going to look like us, but I will give them dominion over creation.”
I’m imagining the conversation going along those lines…
When it comes to human beings, I see God letting us in on His thoughts, by again communicating His intentions to create us (spoken word). So, the LORD got down to business and created mankind from the dust of the ground and the result was a lifeless body. Since God is God and can do anything, with a spoken word He could have spoken life into the lifeless body.” But, no, God chose to breathe His breath of life into man’s nostrils. I often wonder how close God was to Adam’s nose when He was breathing life into his nostrils? Was it like some CPR type of a scene? I believe that's how close God was.
Reading this story has left me convinced, once again, that God’s thoughts have always been on humankind - way before creating the universe. He provided for our needs (what we would eat and drink) and gave us a purpose for our existence – to reign over every living creature – then He created us. How awesome!
Psalm 8:3-5 “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place — 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.
Psalm 139:17-18 “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Matthew 10:30 “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
We serve an unchanging God. He is the God Who Was, Who Is, and Is To Come. He has placed each one of us in this world, at this present moment, for a specific reason. Through Jesus, He also opened the eyes of our hearts, so that we may view the world differently from those who don’t know Him. Seeing things from God’s perspective enables us to walk in victory. His Spirit empowers us to look beyond what is seen to the confident hope we have in Jesus.
So, if we believe that God does not change, can we - considering what the world is going through - ask ourselves the following questions?
1. Do we truly believe that God cares for us, individually?
2. Is it possible that He can, even for a brief moment, forget us?
3. Do we have any personal testimonies of His goodness and faithfulness?
4. Having truthfully answered the above questions, do we have any reason to be fearful?
Our forgetfulness can leave us paralyzed with fear. I think that forgetting to continuously remember how God has rescued us in previous struggles results in us finding it difficult to see past our current struggles. Because of this forgetfulness, fear becomes our companion – something that God does not desire for us.
For God has not given us the spirit of fear and timidity but of love, power, and self-discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7. Through Christ we are victorious and, therefore, we fight every battle from a point of victory.
We were created for so much more. And since our life here on earth is not a matter of what we eat or drink – as stated in Matthew 6 – we ought to be the bright lights that shine in this dark world. We ought to live by example and not be swayed by every negative report we get. Our confident hope is in the Lord. Let us, therefore, use every opportunity we get to advance His kingdom.
Yes, we can’t ignore the devastation caused by the Coronavirus. For many of us, this is a tough season. A season where we would have to walk by faith, one day at a time.
While acknowledging the season we are in, we must also be careful not to neglect the power of the Cross. Now, more than ever is the time to be purposeful in our walk with the Lord, and take everything to Him in prayer.
In reflecting on our personal journey with the Lord we need to maybe consider the following;
1. Has the Lord ever been good to us? Then we need to thank Him.
2. Do we believe that His mighty power at work within us can accomplish infinitely more than we can ask or think? Then we need to declare this over our lives, or to anyone who would care to listen.
3. Are all our needs met? Then we ought to praise Him. If we have any lack we can ask of the father and not worry about tomorrow for He will supply all our needs according to His riches.
4. Can we trust Him in the middle of our current storm? What a hope we have in Jesus! We can lift His name up high and declare His glory to all nations.
Psalm 103:2 says, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
God is still in control. He cares so deeply for us, therefore, we can trust Him even in this season.
Prayer: Father, because our hope is in You, and You alone, I pray that You will keep renewing our strength. Oh dear Father, may we never forget the good things that You have done and continue to do for and through us. You are always mindful of us, and for this, we thank You. We bless your holy name, Father. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, our risen Lord, and Savior. Amen
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