September 15, 2024
If I were to calculate the amount of land I own, it would not take long to come up with the total. All together, about three-quarters of an acre bear my name. It is the grounds for a house I own and hope to sell. I know many people who have owned pieces of land that were passed down from their ancestors for over 100 years. Part of their legacy is their land. Land is one of the few things we cannot manufacture.
Whether you own less than an acre or thousands, God has blessed us with a beautiful earth to enjoy and care for.
Mankind has caused great harm to our habitat due to sinful and devastating choices. As stewards of God’s creation, we should be mindful of His great love for everything around us.
When the psalmist took time to reflect on the intricate details of the creation compared to the status he gave humanity, he was overwhelmed with an attitude of worship.
Everything God created was meant to bring Him praise and glory. A sunrise, mountain range, beach and animals are all in the palm of His hand, and they each point to Him as sovereign.
Humans are higher than any of these. We are made in the image of God and are without meaning and purpose if we do not serve and worship Him.
No matter how splendid the creation is or how impressive the animal kingdom may be, the visible creation alone is insufficient for people to choose to know God and pursue righteousness.
Each person has chosen to willfully and intentionally sin against God. When we choose to sin, we are not only making an unwise choice but also telling God we know what is best for us more than He does.
It seems that lately, more than at other times in the past, people are expressing the sentiment, “The world is worse than ever before.” The reason is because the world is filled with sinners like you and me. We have drifted so far from God’s original intention for us that we now see the results of a broken society. We can never expect to turn away from God and be blessed at the same time.
The instant a person repents and turns back to God, the fellowship is restored. The patience and grace of God are two of the most prominent themes in all of Scripture and history. For each sin the believer chooses to commit, the forgiving Father offers pardon.
This is the message and power of the cross. We all know the feeling of a strained relationship with a family member or someone in our church.
A damaged relationship with God is infinitely more critical. But God offers refuge for all who come to Him. The psalmist concludes with praise because there is no greater assurance for the believer than to be in good standing with God.
Our greatest desire should be to know God and surrender to Him in every aspect of our lives. Our world is in bad shape, but it won’t be long until He comes and sets things back in order. Don’t forsake Him now.
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This lesson was written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi, and originally published by The Baptist Paper. This study is based on the Bible Studies for Life curriculum from Lifeway Christian Resources.
