The Earth and the Choice - Day 94 Month 4-4 Week 14-3

 Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Numbers 6:22-7:41 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%206%3A22-7%3A41&version=NASB1995

Psalm 76 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2076&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 66:10-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2066%3A10-24&version=NASB1995

Luke 9:12-27 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3A12-27&version=NASB1995


The Earth and The Choice


1. We’ve reached the end of Isaiah and we are hearing some wonderful hints of the future.  In Isaiah 66:18 we read “the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see My glory.”  Though at the time that Isaiah lived, Israel was the only nation called God’s chosen people but we are told that all nations and tongues will see God’s glory, not just one chosen nation.  Then we read in Isaiah 66:23 that “it shall be from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath, all mankind will come and bow down before Me.”  I think what impacts me the most is that all, not just some, but all, will bow down before God.  In verse 22 we also read about “the new heavens and new earth which I make will endure before Me.”  This means that our contribution to the destruction of the earth through climate change and abuse of what God created, will be recreated into something good.


Just because God is bringing a “new heavens and a new earth,” doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care for the earth we live in.  I am saddened by how there has been a big reversal in the fight on climate change in the world.  The large world powers are so driven by their wish to bring world dominance to their power that unfortunately it is to the detriment of looking after the planet that God originally gave direction “to cultivate it and keep it.”  He did not give ownership of the earth to humankind.  Psalm 24:1,2 states “The earth is the LORD’s and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it.”  So here we are in a world where for generations, we have chosen to abuse what God has given to us.  I believe that even littering on the roadside is abusing the world that God has asked us to look after.  We walk Jake up and down the shoulder of Shore Road near our home.  I am astounded by the litter that is on the side of the road.  The garbage that is found in the ditch includes beer cans, pop cans, plastic bottles, coffee cups, take out containers, used diapers, lobster bands and at one point last year someone threw a whole pile of lobster shells in the ditch.  Our roadside tells a sad story.  What is a shame is much of those items are recyclable and all of the cans are worth deposit money.  Sylvia and I will go and clean up the ditches to the best of our ability this year but unfortunately, there will be more to clean up next year.  Of course, we can all participate in slowing down the damage that’s being done to the earth.  We can clean up our ditches and we can do our best to find ways to not contribute to climate change.  It is comforting that it appears God knew we’d mess up the creation he provided and was aware that he’d need to create all things new.


2. In our Luke reading , we have read an often quoted section of scripture in Luke 9:23-27.  Jesus explains that being a Jesus follower can be costly yet very rewarding.  He says “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it.  For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?”  The final sentence explains how we can have everything in this world but without Jesus as the centre of their lives, we have nothing!  As for me, I’ve chosen Jesus!


Have a great Day

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com 


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