creation

It is Finished

~ mercyfortheday ~ 2 Comments

I recently learned that someone I know will soon be losing their job. Having been on the receiving end of such news more than once myself, I know the pain they’re feeling. I understand the deep feeling of loss and holy anger at being forced to leave a job I wasn’t quite ready to leave. And when the decision is made without my input, it’s a raw feeling of rejection. Who doesn’t want to be the one deciding when to leave their job? No one wants to be told their time is up at their workplace before they’ve made that decision for themselves.

When you’re told “it is finished” for you, you feel a flood of emotions. And those emotions are valid. No one enjoys being told they’re done before they’re ready to be done. But that’s how it works for many people these days. One day you’re in. The next day you’re out. It doesn’t seem fair, but that’s life. And we have to roll with it.

I’ve always lived with the motto that the best is yet to come. Even in the hardest of times, I held onto that hope. Each time I lost my job, I hoped and prayed that someone would hire me. And someone always did. But the loss of the previous job was tough. It changes you, and you have to decide if you’ll become bitter or better for it. Life isn’t over just because the job is. You never know what lies just around the corner.

The one losing her job is in the last days of employment. She’s wrapping up loose ends and giving final instructions to those she works closely with. She’ll finish well and move on to the next phase of her life. Even though the job loss was not in her plans, she can walk away with her head held high knowing she’s given it her best.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

Jesus had been teaching large crowds of people and healing the sick among them. As the days drew closer for his earthly ministry to end, he began making his way to Jerusalem. He knew that his ministry would be finalized in that city. He knew that he would face persecution and death there, and he didn’t run from it. As he made his way to the city of David, he continued his ministry by teaching and healing people. His work didn’t end because his end of days was just ahead.

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

We have just lived through what was the last week of Jesus Christ’s earthly life. Before he was arrested, put on trial and then crucified, he knew his time on earth was coming to an end. The human part of him asked for “this cup” to pass from him, but his Father refused. And he knew there was no need to ask for a reprieve because he had given up his deity and became fully human just to die for the sins of humanity. And the time had come to fulfill the prophecy.

But humanly speaking, he didn’t want a kiss of betrayal on his brow. He didn’t want to be whipped. He didn’t want a trial held under the cloud of darkness. He didn’t want to feel the pain of rejection. The pressure of thorns piercing his skull. The puncturing of his wrists with nails. The slit of his side with a sword. He didn’t want the taste of gall pressed on his lips with a dirty sponge. He didn’t want to breathe his last breath hanging on a wooden cross in a public display of the prophetic holy Scriptures. But he did it anyway. He willingly suffered the pain of death for all humanity. He spoke the words “It is finished” and gave up the ghost and breathed his last. And he died for our sins so you and I don’t have to.

In alignment with the rest of God’s creation project revealed in the biblical story, the new creation is the culmination of the purpose (creation) and provision (redemption) of God. The end of creation is when the perfect capacity for creation reaches complete perfection — when God declares over his creation project what he did at our redemption: “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Edward W. Klink III, The Beginning and End of All Things

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Jesus said it is finished because he was finished with his earthly ministry. He was basically saying that he had successfully completed the work he came to do. These three words weren’t a desperate cry for help. They were a proclamation that he had finished well. He had accomplished the work his Father had laid out for him, and all the prophecies of the Old Testament had now been fulfilled. Although his body was tattered and torn, beaten and bruised, he finished well. He had laid the groundwork for those who call on him to spend eternity with him.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

When Jesus breathed his last breath on the cross, his earthly work was finished. In that moment, he laid down his life for us. His ministry lasted three years, but the preparations for it had begun long before he came to earth. He finished his work on earth and is now working to make our eternal home ready for when our time on earth is completed. He’s preparing a place for each of us who know him as Lord and Savior. Have you surrendered your life to him so he can prepare a room for you?

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3

Proclaiming the Glory of God

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In seven days, God created the heavens and the earth. We read the account of his work in the book of Genesis. It’s a fascinating story, to say the least. There are those who believe every word written about the creation, and there are those who cut it apart and put it back together in an unrecognizable way. But regardless of what someone believes, the earth rotates once every twenty-four hours in relation to the sun. The sun rises and sets in precise timing. And as if on cue, the earth continues to spin in perfect rhythm. Who but God can orchestrate such an act of precision? No one. I dare to say.

And some wonder who is in command of such happenings. I dare to ask, how can one doubt who is in charge? It seems plain as day to me. Why not to everyone?

The handiwork of God is precise. It is exact and calculated. God is the architect and designer of the universe. The design and craftmanship are beyond measure. Man, of his own abilities, could perform no such feat as to design a constellation of stars, a planet system, four seasons, and food sources enough to feed every mouth on this earth. No man can do that. What man can do and should do well is care for this creation, because it isn’t replaceable.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. Psalms 19:1-4

Many eyes were drawn to the skies this week as a solar eclipse made its way across Central and North America. Some saw it in its totality, and others viewed it partially. Eyes were guarded with special glasses. Even for the tiniest moment in time, many eyes were focused on the sun. As if the sun were a god. As if time could stand still just for the moon to pass between the sky and earth and the skies to fade dark.

In order for the earth, the moon and the sun to be in perfect alignment at the exact moment in time, a hand much larger and more precise than man’s was at work. Perfect alignment is an exact science, not trivial guesswork. Conditions must be met. Timing counts. This same God who perfectly aligned the three orbs this week also knows the number of cattle in a field. He also causes rain to fall and plants to grow.

It appears that we have survived this mighty act of God. What was predicted by some as potentially catastrophic and a cause for concern has turned out to be a seemingly quiet affair. God’s acts of brilliance don’t have to be thunderous and loud in order to be magnificent. An act of God can be as quiet as a gentle breeze on a warm day. God doesn’t always thunder his presence and power.

This magnificent event was called by different names. Cosmic coincidence. Emotional experience. Absolute transcendence. Strange phenomena. How about an act of God? That’s the more precise description we should give. Who else could align the earth, moon and sun at the exact same time and darkness cover the earth in designated places?

What if, for one tiny moment, all eyes would focus on the God who created the sun and created this spectacular event? Imagine if we focused on the Creator instead of his creation. Oh. His handiwork is something to see. But his gift of forgiveness and salvation are eternal.

There are those who pretend to be God and work by their own efforts to change weather patterns and events. Oh. They seem to be successful. We see their results. And at times, they may have us fooled into thinking the catastrophic event was natural. But only God knows for sure what he’s done and what he’s allowed in those moments.

Regardless of what one thinks of the eclipse or creation itself, the God of the universe orchestrates each moment in time and each circumstance. Others can attempt to play God, but their efforts will fall far short. And over time, it will be obvious who the true God is. It will be obvious whose works are unmatchable and whose are false attempts at greatness.

There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!

Abraham Kuyper

Hail or High Water

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There is a part of God’s creation that doesn’t have a soul but yet always obeys Him. Always does as he commands. That part of creation is nature and animals. They can’t talk back to God. They can’t refuse to obey him. They’re at God’s mercy. When he parted the Red Sea, the water didn’t have a choice but to separate. When he caused the donkey to speak to Balaam, the donkey didn’t have a choice but to speak.

When the sun shines each day. When the stars come out at night. When the rain falls. When the wind blows. When a tornado strikes. When hail pummels the ground. None of these have a choice. Weather patterns don’t have a choice whether to start or stop. It does as God commands.

Excessive weather events are controlled by God. Tsunamis. Drought. Earthquakes. Landslides. Volcanoes. God created this earth to obey his commands. And if you notice, people call these incidents acts of God.

And now mankind is trying to manipulate nature. We want to stop the sun’s rays from beaming to the earth. We’ve put layers of radiation in place to damage human and animal bodies. And we call it good. We call it progress. But we’ve never stopped to ask what God thinks of our plans and ideas for improving his creation. Shame on us. I’d dare to say that God perfectly created the universe. The planets. The stars. The galaxies. The sun and moon. The oceans and all that live therein. He doesn’t need any help improving it. He expects us to care for it, not harm it.

But yet the one part of creation that God loves the most is mankind. The part of creation made in His image. The part that he gave a mind and soul and the power to choose. We’re the one part of God’s creation who decides what we do. We can choose to obey God or we can refuse. Mankind is the one part of God’s creation that God chose to commune with one on one. He gave us a soul. He gave us a mind to reason and choose. Vocal chords to speak. We can communicate intelligently.

In the garden of Even, God spent time with Adam and Eve. He didn’t just sit alone in nature. He went to nature to spend time with his image bearers. And when those first two humans disobeyed God’s command, they were separated from him.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7

If God tells us that we should do something magnificent, we can choose not to do it. If he tells us to stop doing something, we can choose to continue or to stop. We, as image bearers of God, don’t have to obey Him. We can say no. We. Can. Say. No. I’m going to do what I want. When I want. Why I want. Where I want. How I want. We can refuse to obey.

Even though we know God’s will and ways are always perfect, we always have a choice. We have that power. We can say no. We can refuse to honor God. It doesn’t make us more powerful. By any means. It shows our weakness. Refusing to obey God shows our weakness, and it shows that we have given in to another power. The power of Satan influences us by using other people or things that God has made and called good. But Satan twists the good into evil and calls it good.

Only God’s creation that doesn’t have a soul is powerless to refuse God. We might think. Wow, all those poor animals. Those poor flowers and trees. The poor oceans. They have to do everything God commands. But look at what little worries they have. The Bible says just as God feeds the birds of the air, so will he feed and clothe us.

Did you ever notice that Satan doesn’t run after the oceans or skies or animals? He doesn’t tempt them to do what they weren’t created to do. Have you ever seen a potato planted and later harvested as an apple? Does a deer give birth to a cat? Does rain refuse to soak the ground? Satan tempts the creation of God who has the power of choice. Mankind has the choice to do right or wrong. Good or bad. We can create beauty or destroy God’s work. We have the power to refuse Satan’s advances. One little word is all it takes. NO.

We see creation, the trees, the flowers and the insects that are required to keep nature working. God created all of those. He has power over them. They don’t stop and ask why they have to work. The sun doesn’t ask why it has to shine today. It doesn’t beg to be left behind the clouds. Does the moon ever say no, I don’t want to come out at night? Do the stars refuse to shine? Do the constellations refuse to move into format? Does the earth refuse to turn?

God has given those of his creation with souls the responsibility to care for the rest of the earth he created. He created it for our use and for his good purpose. And we treat it with shame because we don’t respect God and His commands. We don’t honor Him through our service of caring for the earth. It’s on us. God commanded us to care for the earth. And there are those who think more highly of creation than they do the Creator. That in and of itself is a problem. But when we care for creation, we acknowledge and honor our Creator.

If creation honors God’s commands, why can’t I?

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land— the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom. The Red Sea saw them coming and hurried out of their way! The water of the Jordan River turned away. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs! What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way? What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away? Why, mountains, did you skip like rams? Why, hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock. Psalms 114:1-8

All Creation Sings

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Standing outside on a cold winter morning, I see my breath as I exhale. I hold tightly to the leash as my dog sniffs the frozen ground. She leaves her mark on every spot that every other dog in the neighborhood has marked. I see the frost tipped grass that’s browned from the fall. It appears to be in a stagnant season at this point, but it’s only resting. The grass is gearing up for a busy season that’s just around the corner. It’s preparing for warmer months of growth and green and vibrance. It’s taking a break. It’s as if it’s the calm before the storm, but the grass is still very alive. The grass appears to be dead, but the work underground is moving along right on schedule. The dormant period for grass is an important step in its life.

I notice all the tree branches that have fallen from Thursday’s winds. Downed limbs mark the spot every few feet in the yard. As the small branches lay on the dead looking grass, their weakness is evident. Otherwise, they would still be holding strong to the tree that bore them. They couldn’t hold their strength against a strong wind. And that’s okay. Because the trunk of the tree still stands. The wind didn’t overtake the tree with its roots dug deep. But I noticed in my neighbor’s yard the two trees that have fallen, not from this week’s wind but from winds of days gone by. Sure. These neighbors will have the trees removed. They’ll have their fence repaired again, and life will go on as normal. And the winds will continue to blow at the appointed time.

I recall another sighting earlier in the week, as my dog and I were outside. Looking overhead, I noticed the small Cooper’s Hawk frantically flying through the air chasing a smaller bird just out of its reach. The hawk was searching for its next meal. The smaller bird was looking for a safe haven. In that particular moment, the smaller bird reached its safety nest before getting caught. And as I noticed the small hawk flying away empty handed, I knew it was still on the hunt for its next meal. And I knew it would be successful. At some point, there would be another small bird or rodent that would be caught in its mouth. The hawk would savor its meal and gain strength to sustain life. Life is a never ending circle.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy! Psalms 96:11-12

I also noticed a tree in my front yard beginning to form buds on the ends of each limb. Work was in progress as it began preparations for springtime. Oh. It seemed a tad early in the brisk cold, but the tree was planning for the future. It will soon spread its leaves and the flower buds will open, leaving a fragrance in the air for passersby to enjoy. This tree is gearing up for the growth and beauty that it will provide. Spring just can’t come soon enough. The dormant period is coming to an end.

As the days lengthen and become warm, they tease us with anticipation of the upcoming splash of color that’s around the corner. It’s assumed that nature is silent in the winter, because in our neck of the woods we see only brown and gray outdoors. But as the days grow longer and warmer, the gloominess will be replaced by a peek of sunshine and spring rain. At this moment in the soil, the bulbs and bushes are preparing for the next season of life. Creation sings not only in the spring when trees are budding and flowers are blooming. Creation sings in the winter with the frost on the plants. With the snowfall. With the frigid air. With the ice. Creation is singing. It’s just a different song. And it’s a song that a lot of people don’t like to hear because it’s cold. It’s inconvenient to bundle up to stay warm and safe. But hey. Life is full of inconveniences and we survive.

Creation is preparing for the next phase of life, because seasons come and go. In each season, we can find beauty if we look deep enough. If we don’t give up when things look bleak, when the sun isn’t shining, and all we see is gloom, we find hope. Then another day, the sun comes out and we feel its warmth. We see the limbs blown down, and we know that new limbs will grow. We see these empty trees and we know that new leaves will sprout. And they say that hope floats.

The hyacinths that I see coming up through the ground are an early sign that life is being lived under ground. And so that gives me hope that my life is still growing even underground where it can’t be seen. There is still beauty working in the dark days, in the lonely days and the trying times. When the ground looks barren, maybe we need to dig a little deeper. Because creation sings every day, even when we can’t hear it. Even when we can’t see the work nature is doing, it is still working. The wait is worth it.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

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The human body is a work of art. Actually, it’s a masterpiece. It was designed by One who created everything else in the universe. And yet after all animals and plants were created, he knew that something was missing. Something important. He needed someone to fellowship with. So he created man. And boy. Did he think of everything in this creation. He not only created man. But he created woman. Two parts that together are whole.

And even before birth, God has specific plans designed for every individual. He doesn’t overlook anyone. From fertilization to the last breath, God has planned each moment of life. Each moment is designed to honor God. He knows how many breaths each of us will take. He knows those who will never breathe outside the womb. And he knows why they won’t. But his love covers all of us.

This artist’s work is complex. He created bones and ligaments. Fascia and muscles. Organs and follicles. Orifices and senses. He thought of everything a body would need in order to survive. Eyes for seeing. Ears for hearing. Nose for smelling. Skin for touching. Tongue for tasting. Brain for thinking. There’s nothing more or less that a body needs in order to do its job.

God knows his creation so well that he can read our minds. He knows our thoughts without them being spoken. He knows our intentions. And he sees our actions. He knows the movements of our body and the natural abilities we have. Who wouldn’t be in awe of this amazing masterpiece?

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalms 139:13-16

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

While it’s true that God created a masterpiece when he created the human body, we must remember that he never makes a mistake. When we’re unhappy with our body type or our facial structure, God isn’t. He didn’t create everyone to look exactly alike. He’s much more talented than that. He made each one of us unique. You may think your nose looks like a beak. And I think my short fat fingers look stubby. We don’t all need a slimline nose or long slender fingers. Stubby fingers can feel and poke the same as long ones. A beak of a nose can still smell the calming fragrance of lavender the same as a slim nose. Bald heads are just as attractive as full heads of hair. Gray hair tells a story that black, brown, red or blond hair can’t. We worry about the most senseless things when it comes to our appearance. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Some things are just better left untouched.

God only made two sexes. Male and female. You’re either one or the other. Nothing you or anyone else can do to your body can change that. Regardless of how desperate you are or what extremes are attempted, your sex was God ordained. Oh. Sure. We’re told that we can change our pronouns and our name. We can chop off body parts and create simulated ones. It doesn’t change our DNA. When we stand before God on judgment day, he’ll see us as he created us. Not as we’ve re-created ourselves. Don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise.

The two bodies need each other. Male and female. That’s the natural order of reproduction. It takes one of each to create another human. Only females can get pregnant and deliver a child. Man cannot. If a man gets pregnant and delivers a baby, then the one who says he’s a man is really a woman trying to be a man. It’s not rocket science. But it is science. God ordained science.

We may think we can fool mother nature, but we can’t fool our heavenly Father. He is the one and only Creator. When we mess with his design, we will answer for it. Because when God created mankind, he saw that his creation was very good. That’s what he saw. If he didn’t like what he saw, he would have done things differently. He doesn’t make a mistake. Make no mistake about it. God’s handiwork is perfection. Let’s not meddle with it.

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31

A Convenient Lie

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

I’ve recently been reading about Charles Darwin. You know. The inventor of evolution. The scientist who claims that the earth wasn’t created by God in seven days. The man who decided that the earth and everything in it evolved over time. The man who held the notion that all life is related and descended from a common ancestor. The man who believed in natural selection. Yeah. That guy.

Wikipedia says that Darwin’s scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life. He’s been described as one of the most influential figures in human history.

But did you know that Darwin knew his theory was false?

After all his work on the theory. The testing pointed to the fact that his work was a lie. He could not come to the truthful conclusion that evolution was real. But he promoted that theory anyway. And he never backed down.

Darwin and his followers. They were willing to believe a lie in order to prove their point. Darwin perpetuated a lie that has continued for generations. Nature became a substitute deity for the man. Generations of school kids have been taught a fabrication of lies. There is no truth in this teaching. 

It makes me wonder. Why were Darwin and his followers willing to support a lie? Why did they continue to preach and worship the lie? Why did they reject the truth? They were looking for an alternative to creation. There were looking for a way or a reason to discredit God. That tells me they fear God. They are afraid for God to be true and right and real.

Darwin wanted to keep God out of the picture. He was afraid of the supernatural. Because if he believed that the seven day creation story was true, he would have to confess that God existed. And if God exists, then Darwin might have to bow down and confess that his life was not his own. So he made sure that his theories and hypothesis pointed to an evolution of earth and mankind and every other living being. He manipulated data. He skewed his findings to produce the results he wanted.

Some things never change. Do they?

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. Ephesians 5:10-14

We’re lied to these days. We’re deceived by fabrications of the truth. We’re manipulated to believe ideas that aren’t true. And unless we do the research. Unless we put in the time to study the subject, we can easily buy into other lies.

We’re told that men can get pregnant. We’re told that we can change our pronoun, and we’ll magically be a member of the opposite sex. We’re told that women should have the right to kill their unborn baby right up to and after birth.

These are all lies that go against the Creation story. God created male and female. And only a female can give birth. Our DNA doesn’t change because we change our pronouns. And unborn babies have the right to life, just as the mother carrying them.

God knew what he was doing on those six days of creation. He didn’t make any mistakes. At the end of each day, he looked at his finished work. And he saw that it was good. Except for one day. On the day he created man, he saw the results of the dust he formed. He saw that his work was very good.

God had a higher purpose for this created man. Because in this man, he placed a soul. And he planned for the soul of every person born on the earth to live in eternity with him. No other part of creation was given a soul. No other part of creation can choose to follow God or ignore him. Only humans were given that ability. Let’s choose wisely.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Romans 1:21-25