Psalm: 104:1-13

Epistle: Eph. 1:3-14      

Gospel: Matt. 6:9-13

 

Verse for meditation:

 

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves”(Eph. 1:4-6).

  Creation is defined as the act of God in the beginning, bringing into existence the seen and the unseen universe out of nothing. This is the free and independent act of God. The scriptures aim not to give the scientific conclusions of creation but rather they record divine revelation regarding the creation (Neh. 9:6; Job. 38:4; Ps. 33:6,9; 90:2; 102:25; Is. 40:26,28; 42:5; 45:18; Jer. 10:12-16; Am. 4:13; Acts. 17:24;  Rom. 1:20,25; 11:36; Colo. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; 11:3; Rev. 4:11, 10:-6). All the three personalities of the Trinity was the reason for the creation – God the Father (Gen 1:1; Is. 44:24; Ps. 33:6), God the Son (Jn. 1:3-10; Colo. 1:16) and God the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2). The root cause of creation of this world is not what is seen (materials) but is created by the word of God (Heb. 11:3). God has created this universe not out of the existing materials but out of nothing (ex nihilo). At every stage of creation God found ‘It is good’ (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31; 1 Tim. 4:5). The preacher also remembers God who does everything beautifully (Ecc. 3:11). God even now continues to create. Creating, sustaining and renewing is the act of God. The divine act of God is included in renewing and making man as new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17). Faith in God remains unquestioned when we consider the reason for creation as science says ‘evolution’ or the ‘big bang’ is also the act of God.  

1. The creation of the beginning (Gen. 1:24-31; Ps. 104:1-13)

David in Psalm 104:13 says that God is the superior ruler of the universe with all greatness and glory. Through creation God has shared everything needed for man and for the world. After creating man in his own image God blessed them (Gen. 1:27). He gave them the authority to rule over everything (Gen. 1:28). But misusing this power and exploiting God’s creation is sin. When it is said to man ‘rule over’ it means to take up the responsibility of protecting the creation (Gen. 2:15), the responsibility of ‘protecting the earth’. According to the Indian thought, God is engaged in sristi, sthiti and, samharam. Out of these God takes the duties of sristi and samharam. But the duty of sthiti (protection) is handed over to the responsibility of man. This is the meaning of the story of creation. Therefore, God has created man a little lower than God (Ps. 8:5-8). As we praise God remembering the goodness of creation let us also realize the responsibility that God has entrusted us towards creation.  

2. The concern for creation (Matt. 6:9-13)

God who created the universe is also very careful in sustaining it. This is the greatness of creation. The prayer that Jesus taught his disciples is very prominent. This prayer is the supplication of every creation praying towards the heavenly father. The word “our father” indicates this meaning. The whole creation and all living beings include in the above quoted word. When a person is praying he is praying for many others also. Give us our daily bread (food), forgive us and do not lead us into temptation. All should receive divine protection. God who has created everything is the one who leads everything – a God who protects everything. God demands us the same response towards his creation.  

3. The Glory of creation before the foundations of the world (Eph. 1:3-14)

  Through the divine word light has emerged out of darkness, orderliness came out of confusion and life came out of death. God ordered and it happened. The Hebrew root word to mean ‘ordered’ is aamar which can also mean ‘said’. This word is used eight times in relation to the creation of the six days (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 15, 20, 24, 26). God ‘said’ and it was created. In the same way the Hebrew word barais used in the contexts of the creation of sky, earth (Gen. 1:1), whale, living creatures (1:21) and man (1:27). This word bara is used in three other places in the Old Testament to mean the work of God. But man is never said as the subject in relation to this word. The word bara is used in the creation of the Holy heart (Ps. 51:10), new sky and earth (Is. 65:17) and the creation of wind (Am. 4:13). Therefore, it indicates that the way God creates is not like man making. Knowing the creation – election and greatness of God’s creation – is not simple. St. Paul argues that God has elected us to become Holy and blameless before him even before the laying of the foundations of the world. The leaders of reformation Martin Luther and John Calvin gave more prominence to this thought. We may have many questions regarding the story of the creation of God. Yet the answer that God has predestined it all is the unique answer to our total quires. Paul who discusses this thought in detail in his letter to the Romans chapter 11 concludes as follows: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom. 11:33-36).  

Prayer:

God our creator, who created us in your image according to your likeness and redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ; mark us with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, forgive our trespasses according to the riches of your grace and reconcile us to the whole creation, so that we, the stewards of creation may cherish the goodness of creation and proclaim your glory along with your handiwork. In the name of the God who created everything as good, Christ who redeemed all creation and the Holy Spirit who sustains us in divine love, now and evermore.  

Amen