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Names and what is in a name, time and what we do with it, knowing time is the most precious possession you have. What follows after? “Who is this all for!”
From God’s standpoint, it is all about us, human beings. From our view point, it should be all about glorifying God and how to help Him rule this planet. Is that even possible? Does He trust us that much?
Apparently He does. Psalm 115:16 says: “The Heavens ,even the heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth has He given to the children of man.” That was in the Old Covenant.
The psalmist recognised God’s authority as Creator over both heaven and earth (verse 15). Here he acknowledged God’s continuing dominion over the heavens, probably in all three senses (the blue sky, the starry sky, and the heaven where God dwells).
“The earth He has given to the children of men”: Though God has authority over earth as the Creator, He has given significant dominion on the earth to the children of men. The psalmist must have had in mind God’s grant to Adam (and his descendants, meaning us) of dominion over the earth (Gen 1:26-30).
Reflection 1- This dominion given by God means that men and women should use the earth and its’ resources for the good of humanity, as wise and thoughtful stewards. We can use, but we should not waste and destroy. Just like if given responsibility over people and machines and facilities in a company or school, we are expected to be good stewards or we will find ourselves out of a job.
Reflection 2- Maclaren writes: “The earth is man’s-( editor: for a certain period only) by Jehovah’s ( AKA The Heavenly Father’s or God’s) gift. Therefore its’ inhabitants should remember the terms of their residence , and thankfully recognise His giving love.”
Reflection 3- (Kidner) writes “All is his, but we are his important heir and trustees. There is generosity as well as responsibility in the phrase, ‘the earth He has given’; for we are not its makers, nor is it simply ‘there’ as meaningless matter to exploit. Behind the gift is the Giver.”
Under the New Covenant it goes even further : In Philippians 2:10 it says “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth” Our authority goes that far if we are followers of Christ.
However what have we made of this gift called earth and who are we blaming when things do not seem to be the way it is supposed to be or as we like it to be? Sovereignty? People simply call it: “ God is sovereign and in control, I cannot do anything about it! “
When we say that, we are actually saying: “Whatever happens is God’s fault.” When a disaster happens we are quick to say: “God is judging that town or city “. When a person under influence of alcohol or drugs causes an accident and hurts an innocent child, we whisper: “there must be a curse of God on them”. A thief robs a bank or steals money or more: “God did not protect them because …..” a fearful neighbour utters. A daughter elopes. She ends up somewhere in a little shack. The town talk is: “She must have been poisoned, but God is still in control” A child gets born handicapped : “There must be a bigger purpose”
So God gets the blame for everything wrong and little thanks for all He has given us and continues to give us daily.
I call it a cop out. We are so good at pointing a finger at God or others , instead of taking responsibility over our own words and actions. We forget that God already did His part. Just look up God’s Story in our Divine scriptures- “the Bible”. Jesus, the Son of God did His part. By taking back the authority Satan( enemy of God) had cleverly stolen and manipulated out of the lives of the first two beings. He took it back through the biggest sacrifice the Godhead could have ever made- God’s own and only pure blood that ever existed in a human being . The first two human beings – made in God’s image- got their pure blood contaminated by believing a talking animal. (Now known as a snake) . From then on, theirs and our blood became contaminated from generation through generation. Who suffers for their mistake? Is there a way out? Ask yourself what you would have done in their place. Before starting to point fingers to the Godhead, and the first two human beings, take a close look at yourself.
Read again -Proverbs 18:21 “Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences.( TPT) Death and life are in the instrument of the tongue, and they that love it, shall eat the fruit thereof. ( Bishops) The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings. (ERV)
It is time we start being a lot more careful with what and how we say things and the actions we take because of what we say, realising the power our word carries.
If we believe our prayers spoken with authority are heard by God and taken care of and come to pass, the same can words spoken in jest, scorn, anger, disrespect and more.
Watch what you say- You will either rejoice over the outcome or lament over the result it can bring.
If you spoke it, be man or women enough to accept the consequences. And change your words and actions if need be to make this earth what God intended it to be!
Akhrienuo