[Friday's Devotional] - Stewards of Creation

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12: 7-10 [NIV]        

 

I sometimes find it ironic listening to scientists explaining the way life evolved on earth and the way in which research tells us it was formed. In the book of Genesis (written perhaps around 2,500 years ago) there are a number of clues to the creation which seem to be (at least as I see it) in tune with modern thinking:

• The earth was formed out of nothing – as was the Sun and moon
• The seas were present before the appearance of “dry land”
• Fish and animals were present before the first humans arrived
• The heavens were “stretched out”

Whether you believe in evolution or creation (or a Creator who caused the Universe to evolve) it seems amazing that some people believe in chance and probability with more conviction than a Creator.

 

However the earth was created, it is certain that most of the world’s current problems were created by the human animal.  Without mankind there would be plentiful natural resources, a balanced food chain, much less pollution and many more things.  

 

The recent fall in the price of oil is a double-edged sword.  On the one hand we have cheaper fuel and cheaper road haulage costs associated with it, but on the other hand the oil and gas industries are struggling to adjust to a colossal reduction in revenue.  And the alternative sources of energy from “fracking” might lead to environmental damage beyond what we have already experienced as profit comes before environment at every turn.

 

What does it mean to be good stewards of God’s creation?  How can we live in harmony with the rest of creation?  What price convenience, energy, comfort and excess?

 

Lord, we are sorry for the way in which we have harmed your creation.  Help us to be wise in our decisions about the use of all the resources you have given us, Amen.

Dave MacLellan