The Bible begins by telling us that God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). Later passages of Scripture praise God for simply creating through the power of His words (Psa. 33:6,33:9). God not only created the world, but He currently holds it together by His power (Col.1:16-17; Heb. 1:2-3). While the Devil does have power and exercises some influence in the world (Jn. 14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4), the world still ultimately belongs to the God who created it (Psa. 24:1). We sometimes look around and see sin running rampant and wickedness going unchecked, but God is watching and reigning (Prov. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:10). God has not given up on the world He created, and neither should we as His people. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the world since it belongs to God:
- The world is good, and creation should be viewed as good by God’s people (Gen. 1:31, 1 Tim. 4:4)
- Creation is designed to point us to the glorious God behind it (Psalm 19:1-6)
- We should treat our animals with dignity and care for them properly (Prov. 12:10)
- God has provided things in the world for our pleasure and enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17)
- The weather, seasons, food, and joy we experience are a witness to God’s existence (Acts 14:17)
- Creation gives us insight into the power and nature of God and those who ignore it have no excuse (Romans 1:20)
- Every thing and every person that God has made is beautiful and should be treated with respect (Gen. 1:26-27; Eccl. 3:11)
- God wants human beings to exercise lordship and dominion over creation as His image bearers (Psalm 8:1-9)
- Every living thing is in God’s hands (Job 12:7-10)
- God will destroy the current creation and we will live in a new world with him forever (2 Peter 3:10-13)
The world we live in has thorns and thistles, but it is still filled with goodness since it was fashioned by a good God. This is our Father’s world and that should cause us to love it in the same way He does as we await the world to come!
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