Tuesday, January 24, 2017

God and Good

January 24, 2017

The story begins with a declaration: "It is good!" Light, sky and seas, land and vegetation, animals and human beings; all were pronounced good by God himself. Thus Genesis begins, but it doesn't stop there.  That which God created and called good has been spoiled, destroyed, and as the song says, "ruined by the Fall." The rest of the Book deals with God's redemptive action to retrieve that which was lost, culminating ultimately in a new heavens and new earth where the Father and the Lamb sit on the throne ruling in justice and peace.

There is however, a lot in between the beginning and the end. The magnitude of the problem is described almost immediately as the effects of sin cascade throughout creation like a tsunami. But the magnitude of God's love in solving that problem in the person and work of Jesus Christ his Son is hinted at as soon as the problem is discovered. One would come to bruise the head of the Serpent by being bruised himself. And at the end of that first record that we call Genesis is a hint, a foreshadowing of how he will transform that which has been corrupted. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, and through a series of incidents rose to great political power and ultimately found himself in a position to extract revenge on them. He chose instead, to rescue them from almost certain death. His word to them? "You meant this for evil, but God meant it for good." That word again. Good.

Whenever I look around me and see the effects of the Fall, I am tempted to become discouraged until I remember that word 'good.' The good still shines through the darkness, that which has been corrupted will be redeemed, and that which many intend for evil God will use for good, for which I am thankful tonight.

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