Weekly Devotional 3-13-17 A Very Interested God
Many, if they believe in God at all, have adopted the belief that God did create the world, but on the basis of reason, do not believe that God interacts with His creation. Such a belief forces these said many to deny that flood of Noah’s day was a controlled flood (it having a time limit and a boundary of world wideness), or that the nation of Israel is a special nation unto God. They say that yes Israel exists, but it was just one of many nations that sprang up during earth’s early years. They contend that God did create all that was of creation, but then by sovereign choice let the world and its inhabitants exist by natural phenomena. To such persons God is a disinterested God. This, they believe, is why there is so much tragedy, pain and suffering. If God were an interested God, and a God of love, He would certainly intervene and put an end to such things.
The message of the Bible, however, presents a God who is very interested in His creation. This interest, the Bible declares, began before He created the world. In the book of Revelation for instance, it is stated that He Himself, as the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Then in Revelation 17:8, it is insinuated that He, the Lamb, was slain for those who would come to saving faith in Him. The message of the Bible declares that Adam and Eve, man’s progenitors, were expelled from the Garden of Eden so that they would not take of the tree of life and live forever. This was not so much for punishment as it was a blessing. When they disobeyed God, when they sinned against Him, they were separated from a close intimate relationship with Him. Had they been permitted to remain in the Garden and partake of the tree of life, they would have eternally remained in their fallen separated state and from that intimate relationship with Him. However, because of God’s interest in and love for them, and their offspring (which includes you and me) God cast them out of the Garden, allowing pain suffering and tragedy. Again, these things are not punishments but vehicles to cause man to seek relief; relief that is found only in Him.
God followed through on those portions of Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 that speak of the Lamb of God by Himself taking on human flesh. He did this so that He could pay the penalty of man’s sin and provide a means by which man’s separation from Him could be ended. Jesus, the Lamb, revealed to His apostle John and indirectly to us that, “16God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NKJV).
The inspired writer of Hebrews wrote; “1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure’. 7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ 8Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), 9then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, ‘16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,’ 17then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more’” (Hebrews 10:8-17 NKJV).
These passages certainly do not describe an uninterested God, but rather a God who is deeply interested in His creation.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Christian National Church