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MEDITATION:

Today’s meditation is from the “NIV Discover God’s Heart Devotional Bible” published by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries.

In the beginning, God—the Master Artist—speaks. He calls the universe into existence—setting moons, planets, stars, and galaxies in a masterful yet dizzying rhythm of orbiting and spinning. Like a painter surveying a blank canvas, his Spirit hovers over the empty earth. “Let there be light,” he declares, and light bursts through the darkness. He parts waters and calls up land. He brings about lush green plants and grasses. He decorates the sea, sky, and land with fish, birds, and animals. The once-barren planet dances with life. Then the Master Artist comes in close to shape his highest work, his pièce de résistance, the creatures who will carry the honor of bearing his image: man and woman. In a gesture of intimacy, God leans in to breathe life into the nostrils of the man. Soon after, woman is called forth from his side. God sets his crowning creations in a garden he has made especially for them, giving them one command so they can fully enjoy their magnificent home. Creation is God’s great introduction. God had the ability to call anything into existence that he wanted. As the all-powerful, infinitely thoughtful One, the possibilities before him were endless. So what he did choose to create reveals much about his heart. Out of the overflow of his heart spills a world of beauty and goodness. Warm rays of sunlight feed the upturned leaves of the waiting plants below. Powerful displays of lightning and thunder announce the delivery of life-rain. Creation is a masterpiece with a message. As the worker ant marches on to accomplish his daily tasks, he proclaims: “I am diligent because my Creator is diligent.” As a lion stands guard over his pride, he declares, “I am ferocious because my Creator is ferocious.” As the butterfly gently flits over flowers, he proclaims: “I am beautiful because my Creator is beautiful.” Tumbling bear cubs profess: “We are playful because our Creator is playful.” As God creates, he keeps agreeing: “Good! . . . Good! . . . Good!” The Artist is pleased. It is good. The King’s actions trumpet forth the foundational truth of his heart, which is also the foundational truth of the universe: Creation is good because God is good. He is good, good, good.

PRAYER:

Written by Origen (c184-253), an early Christian scholar, ascetic, and theologian.

O Wisdom, O holy word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care: Come and show your people the way to salvation.