PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Genesis 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Try to imagine what God’s original creation was like.
It was a garden paradise, where everything and everyone lived in harmony.
Men and women were equal, not one was to be alone (single), no killing at all.
Everyone shared everything, no one felt lack or unequal or unloved or shame.
These chapters paint a picture of a perfect shalom (peace) and sabbath (rest).
And yet our world is anything but peace and rest, it is in fact the opposite.
Instead of being a kingdom of light, it is a dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:14).
God sends Jesus to restore shalom and sabbath, to make things ‘very good’ again.
But the way Jesus does this is not with force and strength, but with grace.
He redeems (restores) us by forgiving us (Colossians 3:14), not by forcing us.
The same God that lavishes creation beauty on us lavishes grace on us to bring us back.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Take time today to savor God’s creation beauty, as well as God’s redeeming grace.
PRAYER
Lord, your love is good… very good. Hold me in your goodness as I see badness all around. Use me to help make this world ‘very good’ again by being gracious like you.
Just thinking how early people’s understood the universe and the world around it and how it came to be. God was the answer for everything -or gods for many people. Early people recognized a power beyond themselves. God was simply the answer. Yet, in our sophistication and learning – most to not take that answer simply anymore. Yet, it seems to me, the deeper we go in discovery – the more there is to understand of the awesomeness of God’s creative genius – amplifying it – not detracting from it. God said it was good – and it is and we can discover more and see how good it is! How awesome is the creation! Help me always to have the simple faith that you are the answer to all that was, is and it to be!
One day it will all be restored to the glory and perfect creation God created. Until that happens I need to see that this is God’s world and I as His servant need to do my part to make it good, tend to His garden. I need to see Him in this world for He is at work among His own. By His grace I am able to be an instrument of His peace, being a restorer of that creation. When He comes again, what a recreation it will be!
When the lowly Jesus trod the paths of men below,
He beheld their bitter sorrow, and their crushing woe;
He received them kindly, when they joined Him on the way,
Graciously He walked and talked with them from day to day.
Refrain
Walking and talking with Jesus
Smoothes the rugged way.
Walking and talking with Jesus
Brings the light of day;
Walking and talking with Jesus
Fills the heart with love;
Walking and talking with Jesus
Is like Heav’n above.
You may walk with Him today! Believe it, weary soul;
He will cause your heart to burn; His words will make you whole;
With the smile of His dear face, He’ll cheer you on the way;
Safely He will guide and lead you on from day to day.
Refrain
Oh, the joy to walk with Jesus to our home above,
Basking in the sunshine of His everlasting love;
Oh, the joy to talk with Jesus in the shadow-land,
And to feel at every turn the touch of His dear hand.